Erik Slater Articles - Page 17

It’s fitting that Kyrie Irving’s redemption arc led him back to TD Garden, where the Dallas Mavericks guard will face off with his former team in his first NBA Finals appearance since 2016. The eight-time All-Star’s Celtics tenure ended in ugly fashion, and the animosity between him and the Boston fanbase was well-documented throughout his […]

The Brooklyn Nets have their work cut out following their worst season since 2017-18. Step one on general manager Sean Marks’ to-do list: securing Nic Claxton on a long-term deal. Claxton, who ranks fourth in the NBA in stocks (steals + blocks) over the last two seasons, is set to hit unrestricted free agency. After […]

Brooklyn Nets point guard Dennis Schroder is trading in the hardwood for the pitch during his downtime this NBA offseason. The 30-year-old made his professional soccer debut on Friday, playing for FC Germania Bleckenstedt, a sixth-tier club in Germany. Schroder, a native of Braunschweig, Germany, grew up playing soccer before taking up basketball. He played […]

Changes are underway for the Brooklyn Nets entering the 2024 offseason. Following the franchise’s worst season since 2017-18, General Manager Sean Marks will return to the drawing board as he attempts to build a winning roster alongside newly hired head coach Jordi Fernandez. With that, we look at four Nets who could be traded this […]

The Brooklyn Nets are ready to make a splash this summer. Following the team’s worst season since 2017-18, those efforts will center on Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell. With the 27-year-old yet to sign an extension entering the final year of his contract, the Nets are expected to be “at the top of the list” […]

The Brooklyn Nets are making moves to finalize their coaching staff entering the NBA offseason. They are adding Connor Griffin and Deividas Dulkys as assistants on Jordi Fernandez’s staff, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Griffin, who played basketball at Gonzaga, worked as a video coordinator for Pepperdine before landing the same role with the Denver […]

Donovan Mitchell’s uncertain future has remained a constant storyline throughout the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2023-24 campaign. With one year left on his contract after this season, the five-time All-Star has yet to commit to an extension, leading to speculation that he could be traded this summer. Those rumors are picking up steam with Cleveland one game […]

The New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets have retired six numbers in the franchise’s history. That number will jump to seven next season, with the team announcing Wednesday that it will raise Vince Carter’s No. 15 to the rafters. Carter was elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in April. At that time, the Nets flew to […]

Changes are on the horizon for the Brooklyn Nets after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. Less than a year removed from trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the new-look squad posted the NBA’s ninth-worst record (32-50), raising questions about the roster and front office’s long-term viability. Despite this, general manager Sean Marks retained his job and […]

Newly hired Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez’s staff is coming into focus, and Kevin Ollie won’t be part of the equation. After serving as interim head coach for the second half of 2023-24, Ollie will not return to Brooklyn next season, according to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto. Ollie, who won a national championship as head […]

There weren’t many positive developments for the Brooklyn Nets to sell to their fanbase during the 2023-24 season. They finally got one Sunday, with the Phoenix Suns imploding during a first-round sweep against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nets gambled against the Suns’ future when they traded Kevin Durant at last year’s deadline. General manager Sean […]

Newly hired Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez is filling out his staff after joining the team earlier this week. He added a high-profile name on Friday, with former Michigan head coach Juwan Howard set to join Brooklyn’s bench, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Howard comes to the Nets after a five-year stint as the […]

Following a letdown 2023-24 campaign, Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks wasted no time filling a vacant head coaching position. After the team missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, his new hire, Jordi Fernandez, didn’t temper expectations. “We will see results right away,” Fernandez said Wednesday in his introductory press conference. […]

The Brooklyn Nets introduced Jordi Fernandez as their next head coach Wednesday at HSS Training Center. While Fernandez spoke about the hiring process and coaching philosophies, his most eye-opening quote came when asked about unrestricted free agent Nic Claxton. “I believe he’ll be Defensive Player of the Year for us. He’s a priority this summer,” […]

The Brooklyn Nets officially hired Jordi Fernandez as their next head coach, the team announced in a statement on Monday. “We’re thrilled to announce Jordi Fernández as Brooklyn’s new head coach,” General Manager Sean Marks said. “As we progressed through an extensive search over the past six weeks, it became increasingly clear that Jordi is […]

Like many of his Brooklyn Nets teammates, Mikal Bridges limped through a disappointing close to the 2023-24 season. After a 32-50 campaign, it was no surprise Bridges looked beaten down as he took the podium for Monday’s exit interview. “Tough,” he said when describing the season in one word. “It was really tough, just personally. […]

The Brooklyn Nets are closing in on an agreement with a new head coach. Jordi Fernandez has emerged as the franchise’s top choice for the position after a month-long search, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. After firing Jacque Vaughn and promoting Kevin Ollie to interim head coach at the All-Star break, General Manager Sean Marks […]

The Brooklyn Nets’ season came to a merciful close on Sunday. After a letdown campaign during which his team posted the NBA’s ninth-worst record, General Manager Sean Marks enters a pivotal offseason. With that, we turn our focus to the Nets’ impending free agents and their prospects of returning to Brooklyn. Nic Claxton Nic Claxton […]

The Brooklyn Nets are closing in on a new head coach. Former Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez and Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young are among the finalists for the job, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Nets owner Joe Tsai is holding in-person meetings with […]

Despite a disappointing season during which his team posted the NBA’s ninth-worst record, Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks is not going anywhere. The eighth-year GM is set to return next season and hire the team’s next head coach, according to a report from the New York Post. After firing Jacque Vaughn and promoting Kevin […]

The year’s final New York Knicks-Brooklyn Nets matchup ended with a heated scuffle between the crosstown rivals. In the closing seconds of the Knicks’ 111-107 comeback win Friday, Cam Thomas pushed Jalen Brunson from behind on an intentional foul. O.G. Anunoby took exception, getting in Thomas’ face as the two exchanged words. Thomas’ Nets teammates […]

Several Brooklyn Nets have played their final game of the season. After being ruled out for Friday’s matchup with the New York Knicks, Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Smith Jr. will miss Sunday’s season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers, interim head coach Kevin Ollie announced. Schroder has battled through right Achilles soreness in recent […]

Dennis Schroder has played his final game with the Brooklyn Nets this season, but he doesn’t want it to be his last. The 30-year-old will miss the team’s final two contests due to right Achilles soreness, interim head coach Kevin Ollie announced Friday. After joining the Nets at the deadline, the veteran exceeded expectations as […]

The Brooklyn Nets’ disappointing 2023-24 campaign is nearly in the books. For many fans, the final buzzer can’t come soon enough. After trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at last year’s deadline, ending a star-studded era that produced underwhelming results, Brooklyn got off to a promising start this season. The new-look squad opened the year […]

Kevin Ollie made his mark during the University of Connecticut’s rise to one of college basketball’s premier programs. The now Brooklyn Nets interim head coach won a national championship as the Huskies’ head coach in 2014. While Ollie’s UConn tenure ended on a sour note, with an NCAA violations investigation leading to his firing in […]

After a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, the Brooklyn Nets are expected to dive into the star trade market in the coming year. With the NBA’s 23rd-ranked offense amid Mikal Bridges’ second-half struggles this season, the team has a glaring need for an offensive engine. Atlanta Hawks guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray fit the description and […]

With just eight players available on the second night of a back-to-back, the Brooklyn Nets fell 107-77 to the Sacramento Kings Sunday at Barclays Center. Here are three key takeaways from the blowout loss. Trendon Watford continues late-season surge with Nets Watford has received extended playing time amid a shift toward youth and development for […]

The Sacramento Kings enter Sunday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets in the midst of a tight Western Conference play-in race. A lengthy Nets injury report will give them a significant boost in those efforts. After overcoming a 19-point deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, the Nets placed three starters on the injury report. […]

For the second straight game, the Brooklyn Nets clawed out a come-from-behind victory. And for the second straight game, a rookie provided the spark. The Nets came back from a 19-point deficit to secure a 113-103 win over the Detroit Pistons Saturday at Barclays Center. They trailed by 17 points when Noah Clowney checked in […]

Many will view Saturday’s Brooklyn Nets-Detroit Pistons matchup as meaningless. However, for Dorian Finney-Smith, it will be unlike any other game he has played in his lifetime. After receiving parole in July following a 28-year prison sentence, Finney-Smith’s father, Elbert Smith, will be in attendance to watch him play for the first time. Following months […]

The Brooklyn Nets will likely be without two rotation pieces Saturday vs. the Detroit Pistons. Cam Johnson (left big toe sprain) and Dennis Smith Jr. (right hip synovitis) are both doubtful for the home matchup, the team announced Friday. Johnson appeared to re-aggravate his toe sprain early in Brooklyn’s 115-11 win over the Indiana Pacers […]

On a night the Brooklyn Nets picked up their best victory in weeks, they were still reminded how far they’ve fallen this season. Brooklyn earned a hard-fought 115-111 win over the Indiana Pacers Wednesday at Barclays Center. However, with the Atlanta Hawks defeating the Detroit Pistons and clinching the Eastern Conference’s final play-in spot, they […]

There hasn’t been much for Brooklyn Nets fans to cheer about down the stretch of this season. Oddly enough, the team’s most exciting recent development came on a night they were eliminated from postseason contention. Rookie Noah Clowney turned in a breakout performance Wednesday during a 115-111 win over the Indiana Pacers. The 21st overall […]

Following Jason Kidd’s induction in 2018, another Nets legend is headed to Springfield. Vince Carter has been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday. The 2024 class will be announced Saturday at the NCAA Final Four. Chauncey Billups was also elected, according to the report, while Jerry West […]

LeBron James is 39 years old and still setting career milestones. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar dropped 40 points on 9-of-10 shooting from three during a 116-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at Barclays Center. James’ nine made threes tied his career-high, also set this season during a January win over the Clippers. […]

Spencer Dinwiddie was the Brooklyn Nets’ most-trusted floor general during the second half of last season. Fast forward to the first half of 2023-24, and he was an afterthought. The current Los Angeles Lakers point guard’s disappearance in Brooklyn’s offense this year was so glaring that ESPN’s Zach Lowe said it looked like “he was […]

Wait and see. That’s the position Brooklyn Nets fans find themselves in with the team’s miserable 2023-24 campaign nearly in the books. However, the grace period can only last so long for General Manager Sean Marks. For many fans, it’s already run out. Marks has come under fire after reportedly rejecting a Houston Rockets offer […]

Friday’s Brooklyn Nets-Chicago Bulls matchup felt like just another game through two quarters. Then the second half came, and Brooklyn made history. After trailing by five at the break, the Nets shot 18-of-24 from three in the second half to power themselves to a 125-108 victory. Their 18 second-half triples tie the NBA record for […]

Many had Lonnie Walker IV penciled in as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate early this season. After signing for the minimum, the Brooklyn Nets guard emerged as one of the team’s top offensive threats to open the year, averaging 15.7 points on 50/47/79 shooting splits over his first 15 appearances. The former first-round […]