Twitter Got Rowdy As The Sixers Swept The Nets

Sixers-Nets would have been such a hype playoff matchup just a few months ago. But then the Nets traded Kyrie and Kevin Durant, leaving them with a serviceable team and lots of draft capital. They finished as the six-seed, while the Sixers finished third behind the Bucks and Celtics.

Instead, we got an incredibly one-sided matchup between a team with the MVP frontrunner and the Brooklyn Nets. Unlike the Western Conference’s Grizzlies-Lakers series, this wasn’t a team hampered by injury. The Sixers won the first two games by double digits. While game three was closer, as Joel Embiid left with an injury, the Sixers still took a five-point win. However, how would the team fare without Embiid on the court? Could the Nets find some way, any way, back into the series?

Sixers Don’t Need Embiid As Nets Are Swept

Tobias Harris was the star of the Sixers in Game 4, dropping 25 points and 12 rebounds in an 8-point win for Philadelphia. Also contributing in a big way was De’Anthony Melton, who had 15 points off the bench. That proved crucial as Melton alone outscored the entire Nets bench combined and two Nets starters. Paul Reed also popped off for a double-double, putting up 10 points and 15 rebounds. James Harden completed a trio of Sixers double-doubles with 17 points and 11 assists. It wasn’t the prettiest or flashiest performance, but it got the job. More importantly, it was a top-to-bottom team effort without Embiid leading the way.

In the end, it was the bench points that mattered most. Spencer Dinwiddie and Nic Claxton combined for 39 points, with Claxton also adding 12 rebounds. However, the Nets got just 11 points out of power forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale. Furthermore, the Nets’ four-man bench put up just 13 points in total. It was a sad and disappointing end to a mediocre season for the Nets. However, they hold two late-first-round picks in June’s draft, giving them plenty of versatility. As for the Sixers, they will face the winner of the Celtics-Hawks series. The Celtics currently lead that series 2-1, having dropped Game 3 to Atlanta on Friday.

Twitter Reacts

[via]

Update On Ben Simmons Injury Rehab

Ben Simmons has only appeared in 42 games with the Brooklyn Nets. The star guard has dealt with injuries for most of his tenure in Brooklyn. However, the recent word is that Simmons is chomping at the bit to return to action. But the former number-one overall pick will be returning to a different team. The Nets were destined for greatness with a potential three-headed monster in Simmons, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving. Now only Simmons remains with the team.

Brian Lewis of the New York Post breaks down the latest update on Simmons’ back injury. Simmons is hoping to avoid a second back surgery. One source told Lewis that “There will be an assessment around the start of May, and if he [feels] exponentially worse or no improvement, that could end up an option. But every sign has indicated that that won’t be the case.” Simmons has battled injuries for most of his professional career. His last two seasons in Philadelphia saw Simmons appear in less than 60 games in both seasons.

Ben Simmons Anxiously Awaits Comeback Tour

Injuries have derailed the potential ceiling of Simmons. However, his shooting has always been a major issue. Simmons is the perfect prototype for a team building their dream point guard. The former LSU star has every asset a player would want to possess, except for shooting the basketball. However, if Simmons is healthy, his ability to drive to the basket will be a huge asset for the Nets. But Simmons mental health on the court will also play a factor in his return.

Simmons’ heart and mind have been questioned during his entire professional career. Many have even questioned his desire to be on the floor. Nobody makes it this far without having a passion for what they do. Simmons will have a big mountain to climb whenever he returns. So, do you believe that Ben Simmons will return as a dominant force? Or has too much time passed for Simmons to be a legitimate threat in the NBA? Give us your thoughts on Simmons in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

James Harden Looks Back On Time With The Nets

James Harden is gearing up for another playoff run. The former league MVP will look to help lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA championship. Harden seems to be in a good place, both physically and mentally, with the Sixers. However, that hasn’t been the case at every stop of Harden’s journey. It’s no secret that Harden had a miserable time in his stint with the Brooklyn Nets. The franchise seemed to be in disarray from many different vantage points. Harden recently discussed his time as a member of the Nets.

On Friday, Harden spoke with the media on what led to his exit from Brooklyn. “There’s a lot of internal things that was going on, which was one of the reasons why I made my decision. And everybody talked down on me & gave me negative feedback…But now fast forward today, nobody’s like, okay, James was smart.” Harden had harsh words for the Brooklyn franchise, and probably for good reason. The team thought they were building a super team with Harden, Durant, Irving, and even Simmons. Now Simmons is the only remaining player on the roster.

James Harden Felt Disrespected By Brooklyn

There were so many moving parts around the Nets during Harden’s tenure. But how did it fall so quickly? The Nets had enough talent to create the newest dynasty in the NBA. Now the answer seems to be in plain sight. The Nets allowed a toxic environment that turned their potential all-star roster sour. While it has always been difficult to keep every star happy on a team. It feels like the Nets couldn’t keep one member of their roster happy. Now the Nets are looking ahead to a rebuild. As Harden is looking for a championship to add to his resume.

Harden’s words on the Nets have come at the right time. The Sixers will meet the Nets in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. A matchup that Harden is for sure looking forward to. Harden barely spent a full season in Brooklyn. However, his time there could basically become a movie. The Nets will be known for one of the biggest franchise meltdowns in league history. What are your thoughts on James Harden’s opinion on his time in Brooklyn? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

Spencer Dinwiddie Continues Shots At Kyle Kuzma

Spencer Dinwiddie went scorched earth on Kyle Kuzma earlier this week. The former Washington Wizards teammates have had a long beef that shows no signs of being settled. After Dinwiddie’s comments, Kuzma decided to respond on Wednesday. The Wizards star sent out a lengthy Twitter thread discussing the complications between the two. However, it doesn’t seem like a cease-fire is on the horizon. The Brooklyn star isn’t holding back on his recent comments involving Kuzma’s life on and off the court. On Thursday, Dinwiddie went into even more detail on how he sees Kuzma’s playing career.

“Some people are blessed to be in situations. We don’t get mad at Rick Fox for winning a championship with Kobe and Shaq. Some people are blessed, but we can’t act like Rick Fox led them to a championship.” The statement is in regard to Kuzma winning a ring with the Lakers back in 2020. Obviously, that team was led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, Dinwiddie didn’t mind reminding the world. But Kuzma can still say he is an NBA champion. Something I’m sure that will be brought up in his response.

Spencer Dinwiddie Thinks Kuzma Should Learn His Place

If you had Dinwiddie and Kuzma’s beef being a major talking point heading into the playoffs, go play the lottery immediately. Kuzma’s Wizards did not qualify for the playoffs. Which happened to be one of Dinwiddie’s major talking points when discussing Kuzma’s talents. However, Dinwiddie will be preparing for the playoffs as his Nets take on the Sixers in round one. While there may seem like more important things to direct his energy on, Dinwiddie is enjoying sharing his thoughts on Kuzma.

There’s nothing better than drama that doesn’t involve yourself. You can get a nice warm bowl of popcorn and spend the evening scrolling through the drama. Something tells me we may hear from Kuzma before this night ends. So, which side are you on? Are you team Spencer Dinwiddie or team Kyle Kuzma? Pledge your allegiances in the comment section. For the latest news on the happenings inside the NBA, keep it right here with HNHH.

Brooklyn Nets Go All Out For NYC Birthday Bash

The 2022-23 NBA season has been a chaotic one for the Brooklyn Nets. The team reached the playoffs and has a plethora of future draft capital. However, they were also plagued by scandal while also having to trade away both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. While the future may be bright for the Nets, it has been a rollercoaster season for fans.

One persistent bright spot for the team has been veteran point guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie, who spent five seasons with the Nets between 2016 and 2021, returned to the team as part of the package from the Mavs for Kyrie. Since moving back to Brooklyn, Dinwiddie is nearly averaging a double-double, with 16.5 points per game and 9.1 assists per game. He is currently third in points per game on the team’s current roster. Dinwiddie has been a core piece of the Nets’ late-season run to the playoffs. But Dinwiddie shone for a different reason over the weekend, as it was his 30th birthday that saw the Nets go all out in Manhattan.

Nets Out Till 3 AM For Dinwiddie’s 30TH

According to a report from Page Six, the Nets booked out Sei Less for a 75-person party to celebrate Dinwiddie’s birthday. Coming off a 101-84 win over the Magic on Friday evening, the team reportedly stayed out until 3am Saturday morning. However, Dinwiddie’s 30th was not the only thing worth celebrating, as the win had also guaranteed the Nets their playoff spot. The celebration was not cheap, with the minimum price for a full restaurant reservation at the Asian fusion spot being $60,000. A regular haunt of many celebrities, Sei Less also hosted a birthday party for Julia Fox last year during her brief fling with Kanye.

Unfortunately for the Nets, the celebration did not extend across the rest of the weekend. The team dropped their regular-season finale to the Sixers 134-105 on Sunday afternoon. The Nets will face off against the Sixers again in the first round of the playoffs next weekend. But for a few hours on Saturday morning, the team was able to blow off steam and celebrate the milestone birthday of a beloved teammate.

[via]

SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Unveil 2023-24 Nike City Edition Jersey Designed by KAWS

image002 2

The Brooklyn Nets’ 2023–24 Nike NBA City Edition Uniform was released has been revealed, and it was designed in collaboration with renowned Brooklyn-based artist KAWS. This is the first time KAWS has worked with a professional sports team, as the uniform was created as part of a two-year collaboration between the Nets and the artist.

The most noticeable aspects of KAWS’ artwork are combined with authentic features in the Nets’ newest City Edition uniform. The new City Edition jersey takes inspiration from KAWS’ 10-part art piece titled TENSION, bringing in the essence of abstract paintings in a bold color palette. The signature “XX” from Kaws is featured on the waistband of the shorts and the team name is on the jersey in KAWS graphic style, which also takes over the emblem on the shorts.

image003

“As a proud Brooklyn resident, I was thrilled when the Nets asked me to create a new uniform design,” said KAWS. “The history, community, and passion of this borough create an energy that inspires my studio practice, the players, and the fans. My design aims to capture the vibrancy that we experience daily when navigating Brooklyn.”

“The Brooklyn Nets brand transcends the court in many ways, and we are excited to partner with another Brooklyn icon, KAWS, to deepen our connection to the borough with this newest City Edition uniform,” said Andrew Karson, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing, Strategy and Solutions at BSE Global, parent company of the Nets. “Brooklyn is home to some of the world’s greatest creators across genres of culture including fashion and the arts, and we feel inspired to have the unique ability to marry basketball with the best of our borough.  This collaboration continues our journey of partnering with local legends to share what makes Brooklyn so special with the world. KAWS has a longstanding history of creating in Brooklyn, and as a globally-renowned talent and one of the most in-demand artists of our time, he was our top choice to serve as our next City Edition partner. We look forward to working alongside him and identifying authentic opportunities to celebrate the culture and community of Brooklyn together in the years to come.”

The Nets’ 2023-24 City Edition uniforms and merchandise collection will be available for purchase online at netsstore.com and in person at the Nets’ team store at Barclays Center, Brooklyn Fanatics, beginning this fall.

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Unveil 2023-24 Nike City Edition Jersey Designed by KAWS appeared first on The Source.

Brooklyn Nets Reveal 2023-24 City Edition Uniforms

The Brooklyn Nets have given fans their first look at the team’s 2023-24 City Edition Jerseys. On Thursday, the team tweeted the first looks at next season’s newest look. The NBA has seen massive success with the addition of the City Edition Jerseys. The teams go all out with the special edition uniforms. Team’s match the court to their special looks. For example, the Dallas Mavericks wore their current City Edition Jerseys on Wednesday night.

The special jerseys have been designed by KAWS. KAWS is known as an American graffiti artist. Needless to say, the Nets’ new look is heavily inspired by graffiti art. The new look is a splash of multiple colors that perfectly encapsulates the design of Brooklyn street art. Fans have already taken to social media to discuss the newest design. Most seem to think it is a hit. However, some prefer a more classic look. But, the Nets went through a massive change when the franchise moved to Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Nets Celebrate New Look

The Brooklyn Nets were an afterthought this season after trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, the team didn’t get the memo. The team currently sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with just one game left. Needless to say, the Nets will be participating in the NBA Playoffs. A thought that once felt impossible. A welcomed sight to a fan base who, at one time, didn’t have much hope. The announcement of next season’s City Edition Jerseys is just icing on the cake for the Brooklyn faithful.

Ben Simmons’ future with the Nets is unknown at this time. However, if he is on the roster next season, he will be bringing the heat with this look. The Nets are the first team to announce and show their 2023-24 City look. The special edition uniform will surely be a top item for Nets fans. What are your thoughts on the City Edition Jerseys? What other uniforms are you ready to see unveiled? Drop us your thoughts in the comment section below. For the latest City Edition news, stay right here at HNHH.

[Via]

Kevin Garnett’s Message To Ben Simmons

Kevin Garnett is one of the greatest power forwards to ever play the game. The Hall-of-Famer has always been known for his strong personality. A trait that has set him apart from many of his competitors. Sometimes even former teammates. So, when Garnett has an opinion on the game of basketball, you’ll hear the honest truth. No matter how painful it may be to hear. Garnett recently discussed his thoughts on the issues with Ben Simmons. Simmons’ career hasn’t gone the way many believed for the former number-one overall pick. The questions have been heating up since Simmons’ exit from Philadelphia. Just what is holding back his greatness?

Simmons’ one year in college at LSU was a sight to see. Watching a 6’10 point guard control every aspect of the game is not seen often. One could imagine why so many believed he was the guy in the 2016 draft. Now, it seems as if Simmons could be considered one of the biggest draft busts of his generation. The Australian guard never found his footing with his jump shot. An issue that has stuck with him since his college days. However, an issue that many believed could be fixed. So how can Simmons return to being an impactful player? Garnett’s not sure there’s even an answer.

Kevin Garnett Pleas With Ben Simmons To Find The Love

Garnett has one thought on Simmons’ struggles. That is that his heart isn’t in the game. That thought has been a talking point on Simmons for quite some time now. Simmons didn’t play at all last season and has only appeared in 42 games this year for the Nets. Many people with the sport don’t believe Simmons has the mental toughness to succeed in the league. It’s hard to rule that thought out of the equation, as Simmons has seemed to struggle with adversity.

The questions of mental toughness are plausible. So are questions about his physical limits. Simmons has only played over 60 games twice in his five years in the league. Next season will answer many questions that people have about Simmons. Kevin Garnett doesn’t seem to be rooting against the young man. However, guys like Garnett know that your heart must fully be in this game in order to be successful. Does Garnett have a point on his thoughts about Simmons? Will we ever see Ben Simmons at his full potential? Let us know in the comment section below what your thoughts are. For more on the NBA and the latest in sports, stay right here with HNHH.

[Via]

Kevin Durant Wishes Former Team Well

Kevin Durant is still trying to find his footing in Phoenix. As the NBA All-Star is on the fourth team of his career. However, Durant still has good feelings for the Brooklyn Nets. The team that sent him to the Suns. But things didn’t go well at all during Durant’s time in Brooklyn. The Nets had one of the greatest teams ever assembled and ended up with nothing. With injuries and experiments with James Harden and Kyrie Irving failing. There was nowhere for the Nets to go. Trading Durant and starting over seemed like the sensible move.

Durant claims to hold no ill will with his former team. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Durant had plenty to say about his former team. “I hated it had to go down like that. I wasn’t trying to prove the Nets is a s–ty organization,” Durant stated. “Certain sh– just didn’t work out. I understand that. I’m not here trying to prove that the Nets was wrong, I think they did amazing by me the whole time I was there, not just with the trade.”

Kevin Durant Chooses To Be Kind Toward Nets

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns speaks with the media following the NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Footprint Center on March 29, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-100. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Durant’s assessment of his time in Brooklyn is spot on. Every decision made felt like it was snake bit from the start. KD even dealt with the most serious injury of his career from the start. The star forward injured his Achilles the year before joining the Nets. Undeniably, the Durant experience in Brooklyn will be forgotten by most. As for those who were a part of it, the experience will be more of what could have been. Durant now seems thrilled to be in Phoenix. The team will be chasing their first NBA Championship this post-season.

Kevin Durant has no hate in his heart for the experience he endured. So the Brooklyn Nets have moved on, and so has Durant. Some experiments fail, and that was the case in Brooklyn. However, if all the variables could have worked, the team was championship material. What are your thoughts on Durant’s time in Brooklyn? Is it the biggest missed opportunity in NBA history? Should Durant have known it was doomed to fail? Please let us know in the comment section below. For all the latest NBA news, continue to check out HNHH.

[Via]

SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets End Ben Simmons Season Early

Ben Simmons Returns to Philly

It’s a wrap for Ben Simmons this year with the Brooklyn Nets. ESPN reports the point guard will not play with the team this year during the rest of the regular season or in the playoffs run. Head coach Jacque Vaughn made the reveal during practice.

“Ben will not be joining us the rest of the year and through the playoffs,” Vaughn said. “After consulting with our doctors, multiple specialists, he’s just going to begin a rehab program. Our doctors and the specialists feel and think that he’ll have a full recovery so that starts now.”

Simmons has not been on the active roster since before the All-Star break. He doesn’t need a new surgery, but will start the recovery process for his back and knee injuries now.

For the season, Simmons averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets End Ben Simmons Season Early appeared first on The Source.