Adam Armbrecht here, the host of the daily Locked On Nets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Locked On Nets
Locked On Nets
Brooklyn Nets: Youth Evaluation Underway As Injuries Pile Up Following Trades.
The Brooklyn Nets recently suffered a tough 113-99 loss at home against the Indiana Pacers. This game highlighted the challenges the team is facing with its current roster but also showcased the potential of its young players. As the season progresses, the Nets embrace a strategy that focuses on development and resilience, even as they navigate a series of injuries and roster changes.
A New Look for the Nets With key players like Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney-Smith traded, the Nets have been forced to rely on a younger lineup. This shift has brought players like Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Noah Clowney, and Ziaire Williams into the spotlight. While these names might not have been the expected starters at the season’s outset, they represent the potential future of the team.
Williams, in particular, has shown promise with his defensive skills and ability to contribute across the board. His performance against the Pacers, where he recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, is a testament to his potential. If he can improve his three-point shooting, Williams could become a key player for the Nets.
The fact that he continues to shoot near his 30% career average from deep, remains an inescapable factor in where his NBA ceiling lies.
Tyrese Martin has also demonstrated his capability to play at the NBA level. At 25, his maturity is evident, and he could potentially secure a spot as a deep rotational player.
His comfort on the court is a positive sign for the Nets as they look to build a competitive team for the future. As the trades clear out veterans from the roster, Martin should have a chance to prove he can build on 35.5% from deep on nearly four attempts per game.
Day’Ron Sharpe’s Standout Performance One of the most impressive performances came from Day’Ron Sharpe, who delivered 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 22 minutes off the bench.
Sharpe’s ability to dominate the boards and his high-energy play are exactly what the Nets need during this transitional period. His rebounding skills are among the best in the league, and his effort on the court is undeniable.
However, Sharpe’s future with the team remains uncertain. As he approaches the end of his contract, the Nets will need to decide whether he fits into their long-term plans. His rebounding ability is a valuable asset, but his overall role in the team’s strategy is still up for discussion.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Nets will likely continue focusing on youth and development. This strategy may lead to more challenging games, but it also provides invaluable experience for the team’s young core. The effort and energy displayed by the players suggest that coach Jordi Fernandez is successfully instilling a competitive spirit in the team.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Nets Podcast: - The impact of injuries on the Nets’ rotation - Potential trade scenarios as the deadline approaches - The importance of home-court advantage and fan engagement during a rebuilding phase
Have we already seen a Finals preview to start 2025?
Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
It’s just one game, I whisper to myself, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander launches a three with lofty clearance over Jrue Holiday.
It’s just one game, I say, shaking my head as if to clear it when Isaiah Joe on a fastbreak flings the ball around Sam Hauser in hot pursuit, giving Hauser a ring of Saturn in basketball form for a split second, to Aaron Wiggins, shadowing them, for a tidy pop-up shot.
It’s just one game, I say, voice rising, whenGilgeous-Alexander pins the ball, barely out of Tatum’s hand, against the backboard for a block and then, immediately at the other end, lobs it to Isaiah Hartenstein for a dunk.
Sunday’s match between the Thunder and Celtics was just one game, and it’s only just January, but the contest showed what could very believably be a Finals preview. It also showed how OKC can aim to beat Boston in a series.
The Celtics are a machine, and like a machine, they are mechanical. Their dominance comes through the intuitive, expert understanding of what they are good at and how to deploy it, and what they are good at is launching threes. In Sunday’s game, the Celtics took 46 3-pointers. While they only made nine of them (for comparison, the Thunder were 16-of-38 from three), Boston is still shooting the most from deep in the league — sometimes as any as 20 more than their opponents over the course of a game.
The teams that are seeing success in recent wins over the Celtics aren’t necessarily attempting to limit Boston’s three-point attempts. With so many players capable of shooting the three ball it’s a futile effort and expends a lot of wasted energy. What they are doing, and what the Thunder did, is find ways to momentarily jam the machines.
The Thunder moved the ball more, they pressured Boston in the midrange and under the basket, they looked for any gap in the machine’s cogs they could wedge themselves into. Boston used to be way more susceptible to flustering, they abhorred a team that played a messy, gritty, or in any way abrasive style. It’s why the Heat have been so good at beating them in the postseason, because those Miami teams stopped at nothing to make things miserable and didn’t mind playing knee deep in the muck.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Replay The Brooklyn Nets secured a win against the Indiana Pacers with notable contributions from Day’Ron Sharpe. His performance included 14 points and 10 rebounds, leading to a 113-99 victory. (NetsDaily)
Analysis Brooklyn Nets’ loss to the Indiana Pacers revealed critical areas needing improvement. The game highlighted the team’s struggles with field goal percentage and defensive gaps. (NetsDaily)
Trade With the trade deadline approaching, the Nets are closely monitoring potential deals. Top targets include players who could significantly bolster the roster. (Bleacher Report)
Ranking Evaluating impactful NBA trades over the past five seasons, the Nets’ acquisition of James Harden is noted for its significant impact. The ranking highlights how transformative the trade was for the team. (Bleacher Report)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
Cam Johnson’s trade could happen sooner than later? It looks like Cam Johnson avoided serious injury after twisting his ankle last game, and the Nets could be in a scenario where they move on from him in a trade sooner than later.
Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson, and Ziaire Williams set for big roles in Brooklyn The Locked on Nets guys take a look at the bench unit for this team and what kinds of rotations we can see outside of the starters, which is mostly veterans at this point.
Brooklyn Nets Crush Wizards, Ben Simmons and Cam Thomas shine The Brooklyn Nets hosted the Washington Wizards at home on Monday in their second preseason game. It was a complete blowout with Brooklyn running away with this one late.
