<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Nets-Sixers-Knicks.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets conference rivals watch: how the latest Sixers, Knicks updates impact Brooklyn</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-25T17:34:48-07:00">September 25th, 5:34pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-25T17:35:46-07:00">September 25th, 5:35pm</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets were one of the many teams linked to never-ending Ben Simmons trade rumors recently. It was Stephen A. Smith last week, who suggested that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-stephen-a-smith-hints-that-kevin-durant-main-reason-brooklyn-wont-trade-kyrie-irving/" rel="noopener">the Nets would have strongly considered swapping Kyrie Irving for the former first overall pick out of Australia, if not for Kevin Durant putting his foot down.</a> So where do the Philadelphia 76ers stand today? Could the Sixers flip Ben Simmons for a player like Damian Lillard? Might a sneaky title contender make a late play for the former LSU product? Could the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat or New York Knicks improve by adding the 25-year-old All-Star? Might the Sixers just run it back?</p><p>The latest on that topic, according to <a href="https://theathletic.com/news/ben-simmons-turns-away-76ers-teammates-wont-change-mind-about-trade-sources/pjdG5DpzQAZM" rel="noopener">Shams Charania of <i>The Athletic:</i></a></p><blockquote>“The core leaders on the 76ers — such as Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle — and most of the team were set to take a jet to see Simmons before being turned away, sources said. Multiple sources said Simmons didn’t want his teammates, some of whom he considers friends, to make the Philadelphia-to-Los Angeles commute out of courtesy because he won’t change his mind on wanting a trade.”</blockquote><p>Charania continues:</p><blockquote>“Simmons has mentally checked out as a member of the 76ers, sources said, meaning whether or not he ever appears in Philadelphia this season the organization may never again receive the same dedicated player….Philadelphia has no trade imminent, although teams are calling, according to sources.”</blockquote><p>At the end of the day, this league is a zero-sum game and another team’s misfortune is pretty much a good thing for everyone else. The Sixers were the top seed in the East last year, in large part because the Nets dealt with so many injuries, and represent one of the top rivals in the conference, along with the Bucks, Heat, Hawks, Celtics, and possibly Knicks.</p><p>As talented as the Nets are, they don’t have a great answer to stop a healthy Joel Embiid, and there are not many players better equipped than Simmons to defend James Harden. (Not that anyone can slow down “The Beard” but Simmons at least makes life more challenging than your average defender).</p><p>What about the Minnesota Timberwolves? No team has been more eager to land Simmons than Minnesota. It wouldn’t be bad at all for the Nets if Simmons wound up out west, playing for a non-contender. One top team gets a little bit weaker and makes the Nets road even more smooth.</p><p>The Timberwolves had a shakeup at the top of their org chart. But new Wolves’ Team President Sachin Gupta, who invented the <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine" rel="noopener">ESPN Trade Machine</a>, doesn’t sound any less hot to trot for Simmons as his predecessor was. The Wolves have been the team with the most reported interest in landing Simmons, and that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/timberwolves-news-minnesotas-stance-on-ben-simmons-trade-amid-front-office-scandal/" rel="noopener">may have only increased with the leadership change.</a></p><p>Also in the division, it sounds like the Knicks are in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-news-new-york-aggressive-in-pursuit-of-blockbuster-trade/" rel="noopener">“aggressive” pursuit of a blockbuster trade to land a star.</a> As if the Knicks <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-news-julius-randle-reggie-bullock-had-perfect-reaction-to-being-asked-about-nets-big-3/" rel="noopener">big 15 weren’t already scary enough</a>, Knicks’ Team President Leon Rose is looking for ways to bring in some top stars.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Knicks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Knicks</a> will be 'aggressive' in pursuit of blockbuster trade, per team president Leon Rose. 👀<a href="https://t.co/oDymvuyyCz" target="_blank">https://t.co/oDymvuyyCz</a></p><p>— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNationCP) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksNationCP/status/1441599832351657992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 25, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>For now, with Simmons not wanting to play for the Sixers and threatening to hold out, with the T-Wolves seemingly all-in to land Ben, and the Knicks still perhaps a year away from landing someone like Zion Williamson or Karl-Anthony Towns, it’s pretty much Brooklyn’s world. No news is good news in the Eastern Conference for Nets’ GM Sean Marks and the gang.</p><p>None of the most recent reports make it sound like a top rival is on the verge of threatening the Nets standing as <i>the</i> team to beat. And one top rival may even get weaker with an extended holdout or trade.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets conference rivals watch: how the latest Sixers, Knicks updates impact Brooklyn

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Screenshot-2021-09-25-130702.png"></figure><h1>The top 4 teams Kevin Durant has ever played for: where do the 2022 Nets stand?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-25T14:53:00-07:00">September 25th, 2:53pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-25T14:53:56-07:00">September 25th, 2:53pm</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/brooklyn-nets/news" rel="noopener">best player in the world plays for the Brooklyn Nets.</a> Kevin Durant was recently ranked the league’s best player by both ESPN and Sports Illustrated.  James Harden cracked the top 10 and Kyrie Irving the top 20 of each list as well.</p><p>So is this Nets team, currently the odds on favorites to win the 2022 NBA title, the best superteam that Kevin Durant has ever played for? KD has played on at least two, and possibly even three superteams now, depending on your definition. But which is the most talented team he’s ever played for? Let’s look at the best teams KD has been a part of and try to rank them.</p><h2><b>Great Kevin Durant teams: </b></h2><h2><b>4) The 2011-2012 Oklahoma City Thunder</b></h2><p>Record: 49-17</p><p>How far did they go: lost in the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat</p><p>The <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2012.html" rel="noopener">2011-2012 Thunder team was absolutely stacked.</a> With Kevin Durant, a pair of future MVPs in Russell Westbrook and James Harden, a stud stretch-big in Serge Ibaka, plus role players Kendrick Perkins, Reggie Jackson, and Thabo Sefolosha this group was destined for a handful of championships; I’m talking at least four and maybe more.</p><p>In fact, the Thunder also had Uncle Dunkle Jeff Green prior to that 2012 season and could have kept him around for longer if both sides had agreed upon an extension.</p><p>The story does not have a happy ending for Oklahoma fans, however. You may be familiar with some of the gory details. Thunder GM Sam Presti overvalued his anchor big in Kendrick Perkins and decided he was essential to what they were building. When tasked with finding a core to build around that wouldn’t put the small-market franchise into the luxury tax, he shockingly decided to trade James Harden when he could have dumped Perk and others. If they’d simply let a quartet of Ibaka, Russ, Harden and Kevin Durant develop together, this group might well have gone down in history as the greatest team of all time. Heck, if they couldn’t afford to keep Serge long-term they’d still have been multi-time champs. Then we’d only have the 1996 Bulls to compare them to.</p><h2><b>3) The 2021-2022 Brooklyn Nets</b></h2><p>Record: ?</p><p>How far did they go: ?</p><p>Third overall is where I think this current group should go in the all-time Kevin Durant team rankings.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Brooklyn Nets Training Camp Roster</p><p>Durant<br>Harden<br>Irving<br>Harris<br>Griffin<br>Aldridge<br>Millsap<br>Mills<br>Claxton<br>Brown<br>Johnson<br>Carter<br>Thomas<br>Bembry<br>Doumbouya<br>Sharpe<br>Edwards<br>Cacok<br>Duke Jr.</p><p>19 out of 20 camp spots have been filled.</p><p>— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillyReinhardt/status/1438940429576200194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>They don’t need Blake Griffin to play like 2012 Blake. They don’t need 2014 LaMarcus Aldridge or 2015 Paul Millsap. They just need their big three to be healthy and available and they might be able to run any team in the league off the floor. Whether head coach Steve Nash can get his group to play up to their own lofty expectations is yet to be seen. But to his credit, the team was right in the thick of it vying for the Eastern Conference’s top seed last season, even despite their big three only appearing in a handful of games together. They’re that good with Kevin Durant leading the way.</p><p>James Harden is a no-brainer future Hall of Famer. He might currently encompass “the greatest player to never win a championship” right now, (up there with legends like Nash, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and Charles Barkley) but if he’s able to shed that dubious distinction with a ring, his rightful place in history will become clear to everyone.</p><p>Kyrie Irving is Kyrie Irving. According to this humble writer, Kyrie hit the most important shot in NBA history, at least in my lifetime. Kyrie’s game seven shot basically ended the 2016 Warriors and changed the course of history. Had that shot not gone in, who knows if the Warriors would have been able to successfully recruit Kevin Durant… We know what Kyrie is capable of.</p><p>Maybe this 2022 Nets group will change my opinion in time, but until they win a title, I can’t put them higher than this in the Kevin Durant rankings. We’ll need to see how healthy they are and how they fare come playoff time.</p><h2><b>2) The 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors</b></h2><p>Record: 58-24</p><p>How far did they go: Won the NBA Finals</p><p>Spoiler alert,  the 2017-2018 Warriors’ superteam wasn’t as potent as the 2016-2018 version. The key players were the same in Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, led by coach Steve Kerr. But their heart wasn’t as in it as the 2017 squads was. In fact, a James Harden-Chris Paul unit had them on the ropes, up 3-2 in with home court advantage in the Western Conference Finals that year; that is until CP3 pulled a hamstring and missed the final two games.</p><p>But still, that Warriors team won the title and deserve to be regarded as the second most talented team of KD’s career. If you took that team, and asked them to prepare to take on the current Nets team (yes with Kevin Durant magically playing for both sides) I’d bet on these Warriors. We still don’t know how healthy the 2022 Nets will look. But it’s probably fair to say that the 2018 Dubs were both underachievers and one of the best teams of all time.</p><h2><b>1) The 2016-2017 Warriors</b></h2><p>Record: 67-15</p><p>How far did they go: Won the NBA Finals</p><p>This was a murderer’s row of heavy hitters. Not the 73 win Warriors of 2016. Not the ’96 Bulls. The 2017 Warriors deserve the nod here for both the greatest team Kevin Durant has ever played on, as well as the greatest NBA team ever assembled.</p><p>Every key member of this squad was still in their prime, and fully motivated. They were simply indomitable. Peak Splash Brothers, peak Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green, a hounding version of Andre, and Kevin Durant at the height of his superpowers offensively, while also playing some of the best team defense of his life. This team was so good it was almost boring. Nobody had a chance the whole year and everyone knew it. They only lost a single playoff game that year.</p><p>If the 2022 Nets want to approach this level, they may need to swing another blockbuster trade, or swiftly develop Nic Claxton into the next version of Joel Embiid. If you wanted to say that the current Nets have Kevin Durant also, and Harden is on par with Steph, and Kyrie is on par with Klay, then you still have Hall of Fame level defenders in Draymond and Andre for the rest of the current Nets core to try to keep up with. And I’m not sure I expect that type of leap out of Joe Harris or Patty Mills. Advantage, ’17 Dubs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The top 4 teams Kevin Durant has ever played for: where do the 2022 Nets stand?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kyrie-Irving-Nets-2.jpg"></figure><h1>Kyrie Irving’s options if he’s not vaccinated</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-24T17:11:55-07:00">September 24th, 5:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-24T17:15:41-07:00">September 24th, 5:15pm</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Tuesday we learned that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-5-takeaways-from-media-availability-possible-vaccination-holdouts/" rel="noopener">the Nets may have a couple of players who have yet to be vaccinated.</a> The NBA is not requiring players to be vaccinated. But there are a couple of cities that have their own regulations which have become relevant. Because of local COVID-protocols in New York and San Francisco, all players on the Knicks, Nets, and Warriors would need a jab in order to practice locally and participate in home games. But there could be a couple of exceptions to this rule which we’ll look at here. On Thursday, Yaron Weitzman, writing for FoxSports suggested one player who might not be vaccinated yet is Nets star Kyrie Irving.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/unvaccinated-nba-players-could-be-sidelined-in-some-markets-in-2021-22-season" rel="noopener">Per Weitzman:</a></p><blockquote>“One player who could be affected is Nets guard <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/nba/kyrie-irving-player" rel="noopener">Kyrie Irving</a>. According to multiple league sources, Irving has yet to receive a vaccine shot. Both the Nets and a spokeswoman for Irving declined to comment on the record about Irving’s vaccination status, but Nets general manager Sean Marks was asked during a news conference on Tuesday whether New York City’s mandate could sideline any of his team’s players.”</blockquote><p>There’s no official word on any of this yet, but some folks have noted that Kyrie Irving was seen at some basketball arenas in sections where vaccines are required, like at Staples Center.</p><p>But just in case Weitzman’s report turns out to be accurate… what then would Irving’s options be? What about medical or religious exemptions?</p><p>Per <a href="https://www.sny.tv/articles/knicks-nets-players-vaccinated-home-games-enter-team-training-facilities" rel="noopener">Ian Begley and Alex Smith, writing for SNY:</a></p><blockquote>“Per a New York City executive order, visiting players to New York City are exempt from the vaccine requirement, but Knicks and Nets players are not. There is a similar local ordinance in San Francisco, which impacts the Warriors.If an unvaccinated Knick or Net player doesn’t have a medical or religious exemption (which will be determined by the NBA), the player won’t be allowed to enter home arenas or practice facilities or participate in any games, practices, or other team activities conducted at the arenas/practice facilities.</blockquote><p>Begley notes that players failing to adhere to the local requirements could be viewed as failing to provide services under terms of their contract and could be fined or suspended by the league or his team or see their compensation reduced.</p><p>It sounds like this won’t wind up being an issue for the New York Knicks.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Knicks GM Scott Perry revealed his team is fully vaccinated. Another team that’s fully vaccinated, according to sources, is the Detroit Pistons. One less headache for a young team</p><p>— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) <a href="https://twitter.com/VinceGoodwill/status/1441508285044174848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>But it sounds like it <i>will</i> be an issue for Andrew Wiggins and the Golden State Warriors.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The NBA says it has reviewed and denied Andrew Wiggins’ request for religious exemption from the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all participants age 12 and older at large indoor events.</p><p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1441550125885640709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>According to <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/unvaccinated-andrew-wiggins-cant-play-home-games-even-if-he-gets-religious-exemption-from-nba-212836170.html" rel="noopener">Chris Cwik, of Yahoo Sports:</a></p><blockquote>“The San Francisco Department of Public Health ruled Friday that unvaccinated individuals cannot enter the Chase Center, even if they have a <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Andrew-Wiggins-vaccine-home-games-NBA-Chase-Center-16485633.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&amp;utm_source=t.co&amp;utm_medium=referral" rel="nofollow noopener">religious or medical exemption</a>, according to San Francisco Gate.”</blockquote><p>So <i>if</i> Weitzman’s report is accurate that Kyrie Irving is not yet vaccinated, and <i>if</i> Irving happened to be resolved not to take the jab, then the next logical question would be <i>would New York take a similar stance as San Francisco and disallow the few exceptions? </i></p><p>Irving not being eligible to play home games in Brooklyn, theoretically, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kyrie-irving-missing-time-due-to-vaccination-status-would-be-nets-nightmare-scenario-unfolding/" rel="noopener">would represent the Nets nightmare scenario.</a> If any one of the Nets’ big three were out, whether it be because of a sprained ankle, pulled hamstring or vaccination status, it would level the playing field quite a bit. The Nets, as currently constructed have the most loaded roster in the NBA, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/kevin-durant-is-now-the-best-player-in-the-nba/" rel="noopener">the best player on the planet.</a></p><p>So we’ll wait for confirmation about the Weitzman report, and whether or not New York would rule similarly to San Francisco on potential exceptions to vaccine mandate rules, should any Nets players attempt to seek one out, like possibly Kyrie Irving.</p><p>For what it’s worth, Nets’ GM Sean Marks likely knew this situation earlier in the week and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-5-takeaways-from-media-availability-possible-vaccination-holdouts/" rel="noopener">expressed confidence his team would be ready for the regular season.</a> For now, we await more news.</p><p>I must admit, it’s an unusual time to be a sports writer. I’m much better equipped discussing <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/james-harden-this-is-how-you-truly-unleash-the-nets-superstar/" rel="noopener">James Harden-Nic Claxton pick-and-rolls</a> than a local vaccination ordinance potentially swinging NBA title odds. But, for the time being, Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status is taking center stage.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kyrie Irving’s options if he’s not vaccinated

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Screenshot-2021-09-24-141036.png"></figure><h1>Kevin Durant is now the best player in the NBA</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-24T14:12:26-07:00">September 24th, 2:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-24T14:13:21-07:00">September 24th, 2:13pm</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>If you’re reading that headline and thinking to yourself, “Whoa whoa, Kevin Durant was the best player alive in 2017 or 2018 also,”, I think you may well have a point. But Durant did miss a full season with a severe Achilles injury since then. He has now regained (or finally gained depending on your vantage point) his place at the very top with the Brooklyn Nets.</p><p>Experts and analysts would seem to agree on one thing: Kevin Durant is the best player in the entire league right now.</p><p>When you last saw KD, he was sans Kyrie Irving, who suffered a nasty ankle sprain during game four of the Eastern Conference Semis against the eventual champions, the Bucks. Kevin Durant had already been without perennial MVP candidate James Harden, who reaggravated a hamstring injury he dealt with throughout the regular season. And Durant still was just one shoe-size away from dealing the fatal blow to all three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday in that fateful game seven. The Nets would have wound up hosting the Atlanta Hawks if they’d won and who knows how far they might have gone after that.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The best toes Bucks bettors have ever seen </p><p>Durant’s foot on the line sends the game to OT, where Kevin Durant runs out of gas and the Bucks pull it off </p><p>Bucks ML 💰<br>Bucks +2 💰<br>OVER 215.5 💰</p><p>Final score: Bucks 115, Nets 111 (OT) <a href="https://t.co/r6WnRLd1nU" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/r6WnRLd1nU</a></p><p>— BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) <a href="https://twitter.com/betonline_ag/status/1406455066962313218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">June 20, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Now both <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32260331/nbarank-2021-ranking-best-players-2021-22-5-1" rel="noopener">ESPN</a> and <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/09/23/ranking-best-nba-players-top-100-2022-kevin-durant-giannis-antetokounmpo-lebron-james" rel="noopener">SI</a> have arrived at the same conclusion: Kevin Durant is the top gun.</p><p>Here is what Brian Windhorst wrote for <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32249592/nbarank-2021-ranking-best-players-2021-22-25-6" rel="noopener">ESPN’s annual player power ranking’s number one player: </a></p><blockquote>“It’s probably foolish in these times to say anyone is the “greatest” at anything, so let’s avoid that nonsense. Let’s leave it at: Durant is one of the most skilled players to ever take up basketball, and his height, release and accuracy make him one of the most undefendable players in history. It’s remarkable that Durant doesn’t shoot every time down the floor because, frankly, it would almost always be considered a good shot no matter the circumstances.”</blockquote><p>In the same ranking, running mates James Harden and Kyrie Irving graded out at numbers 10 and 20 respectively.</p><p>Just in front of Harden were Anthony Davis (ninth) and Damian Lillard (eighth). Maybe they’re docking Harden a bit here since we don’t yet know precisely how healthy he is. He was hampered by a hamstring injury all last season. But given his advantage as a play-maker over Lillard, (and possibly defender) it’s possible they were a bit harsh here. At the very least, it’s some bulletin board material for “The Beard” to remind everyone of his rightful place among the league’s best, close behind Kevin Durant. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/james-harden-this-is-how-you-truly-unleash-the-nets-superstar/" rel="noopener">Here are a few ways coach Steve Nash will want to deploy him this season. </a></p><p>As for Irving, he came in just behind Khris Middleton (19) of the Bucks and Donovan Mitchell (18) of the Jazz. Hmm…are they assuming Irving’s ankle is going to be a lingering issue here? I’m not sure that when both are healthy Middleton has ever been better than Irving. And no, Middleton winning a title last year doesn’t change my mind on that point. Mitchell could certainly take a leap, as he’s just 25 years old and seems to still be ascending, however I’m not sure he’s better than Irving either.</p><p>In the <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/09/23/ranking-best-nba-players-top-100-2022-kevin-durant-giannis-antetokounmpo-lebron-james" rel="noopener">SI Ranking</a> Harden came in a little higher at 7th overall and Irving 19th.</p><p>How KD being labeled the best (despite Giannis winning the championship and a Finals MVP) might impact the Bucks-Nets rivalry is yet to be seen. Giannis has taken the high road on several occasions, praising the Nets’ stars. Most recently, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpo-s-brutally-honest-take-on-james-hardens-no-skill-jab/" rel="noopener">deflecting a possible jab from Harden from a couple of years ago.</a></p><p>If I were drafting a team to win the NBA championship in 2022, I would select Durant, simple as that. The case for Giannis to go ahead of him would probably be about injury concern. If I could fast-forward to the playoffs, (like I bet Nets’ coach Steve Nash would like to do) I would like my chances with KD even more. When everyone is healthy and on the floor I think Durant truly is the best in the business right now, with all due respect to LeBron James, Giannis, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, or a healthy Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid. Further, KD doesn’t strike me as the type of player who minds the bullseye being on his back.</p><p>The best player in the world resides in Brooklyn. He’ll be back in action at Barclays for the home opener on October 24 against the Hornets.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant is now the best player in the NBA

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpos-brutally-honest-take-on-james-hardens-no-skill-jab.jpeg"></figure><h1>Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brutally honest take on James Harden’s ‘no skill’ jab</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-24T12:01:01-07:00">September 24th, 12:01pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-24T16:26:40-07:00">September 24th, 4:26pm</time><address><a>Nihad Žunić</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucks-news-giannis-antetokounmpos-heartfelt-reaction-to-mom-finally-achieving-dream/">generational talent.</a> He has been praised by the whole NBA community as a superstar player and a future Hall of Famer, even though he is only 26. Two years after James Harden made some comments about Antetokounmpo, the star finally addressed the comments, speaking to Greece’s COSMOTE TV.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet/status/1441467428089774080">As Eurohoops reported</a>, this is what the reigning champion with the Bucks had to say:</p><blockquote>“First of all, Harden never mentioned my name. I have seen this video, about one year later. I think what he meant was that if he was also a 7-footer, jumped and dunk, it would have been easier for him. I think that the media made it about me. Harden is a great player and when I am on the court against him (with the Bucks) I have to play real hard. He is a Hall of Famer, I have nothing against him.”</blockquote><p>Previously, <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2878413-james-harden-on-giannis-wish-i-could-be-7-feet-tall-and-dunk-takes-no-skill#:~:text=%22I%20wish%20I%20could%20be,ll%20take%20that%20any%20day.%22">in an interview with Rachel Nichols in February of 2020</a>, then-Rockets guard James Harden made a comment that went against the grain when it comes to an opinion about Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks superstar who just won an NBA title. Harden famously stated:</p><blockquote>“I wish I could be 7-feet, run and just dunk. That takes no skill at all.”</blockquote><p>While not naming the Bucks star specifically, the comments came after Nichols mentioned the Greek superstar, and it was clear to everyone that he was the target.</p><p>While a great story for the media in covering the Bucks and the Nets, it is clear that there is no bad blood between the two superstars.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brutally honest take on James Harden’s ‘no skill’ jab

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/James-Harden-Rockets-.jpeg"></figure><h1>3 Keys To Unleashing Peak James Harden This Season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-24T09:28:20-07:00">September 24th, 9:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-24T09:29:13-07:00">September 24th, 9:29am</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets sent shockwaves across the NBA last season when they added more MVP caliber talent to their already star-heavy squad. Acquiring James Harden back in winter basically ensured they would have three of the top 15-20 players in the league. But do the Nets have so much offensive talent that they cannot maximize each one of their stars? Does one of the big 3 inevitably have to take a backseat? That’s possible. But perhaps not inevitable.</p><p>Let’s look at the three keys Steve Nash should consider in order to fully tap into The Beard’s arsenal.</p><p><b>1) Point Beard</b></p><p>James Harden is such a polarizing player. His reputation is all over the place. At least among casual fans, there is a running joke that he’s a selfish player who doesn’t like to pass. Remember this stuff?</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Raiders</a> called "James Harden" and of course that means they won't pass the ball.<a href="https://t.co/t9GQKYsc5Z" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/t9GQKYsc5Z</a></p><p>— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1330695955117711361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">November 23, 2020</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>It’s pretty bizarre isn’t it? Nobody dares call Larry Bird (who Harden recently passed on the <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/ast_career.html" rel="noopener">all-time assist leaders chart</a>) a chuck. Nobody makes jokes that Durant never passes, yett KD has over 2,000 <i>less</i> career dimes than his teammate, despite logging a few more regular season games.</p><p>This isn’t meant to knock KD. It’s just that the public perception of Harden has always been a bit puzzling to me.</p><p>But let’s set the record straight for a moment. Harden is a gamer. When the most efficient way for him to attack is to shoot, he’s going to shoot. When that’s not the case, he’s probably lobbing dimes to Clint Capela or drawing a defense in to set up a corner three for Kyrie Irving. When the All-Stars gather for an exhibition every season, Harden is always one of the best passers in that gym, period. Last season Irving made clear who would be the primary facilitator and it worked. When fully healthy, each or Irving and Harden enjoyed some MVP buzz.</p><p>Per <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30897633/kyrie-irving-tells-james-harden-point-guard-going-play-shooting-guard-brooklyn-nets-settle-roles" rel="noopener">Malika Andrews, writing for ESPN:</a></p><blockquote>“I just looked at him, and I said, ‘You’re the point guard, and I’m going to play shooting guard.’ That was as simple as that.”</blockquote><p>They’ll want to lean on their best passer to set up their best closers.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kyrie Irving doesn’t get enough credit for his role in the Cavs’ 3-1 comeback in the 2016 Finals</p><p>Games 5-7 averages:<br>30.0 PPG<br>4.3 RPG<br>3.3 APG<br>1.7 SPG<br>1.3 BPG<br>52% FG<br>53% 3PT<br>100% FT </p><p>Also hit one of the greatest shots in NBA History 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/47P6ruoOPy" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/47P6ruoOPy</a></p><p>— Everything Cleveland (@everythingcle_) <a href="https://twitter.com/everythingcle_/status/1271059903059308544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">June 11, 2020</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p><b>2) Marry James Harden and Nic Claxton’s minutes</b></p><p>It’s pretty wild to think that the Nets have a trio of household name bigs in LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin and Paul Milsap… when 22-year-old Nic Claxton could wind up being their most important big of all. I anticipate Coach Steve Nash will use a 10-deep rotation this season. He will look to whittle that down by the playoffs, and of course, may lean on the most experienced veterans, like he did last playoffs. But one would expect Claxton to receive ample opportunity to build on the exciting flashes he displayed last season.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nic Claxton will be closing a lot of big games for the Nets with his ability to comfortably switch screens <a href="https://t.co/SxhtF0bNiD" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/SxhtF0bNiD</a></p><p>— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1374577688057352192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">March 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>They’ll want Claxton out there for his weakside rim protection and ability to switch. And nobody is better equipped to unlock Claxton’s short-roll offensive game than Harden. The 2018 league MVP has long honed his arsenal.</p><p>James Harden can hit the stepback triple. Take that away and he’s going to blow by you. Once in the paint, assuming you take away both the corner triple kick out and the layup, then you have to avoid fouling him. If you’ve made it this far his final options are the floater and the lob. Claxton was the recipient of some absolute highlight reels lobs last season.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Brooklyn Nets James Harden &amp; Nic Claxton have had instant Chemistry since they stepped on the floor together for the 1st time ..Take a Look <a href="https://t.co/w9JvJvApab" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/w9JvJvApab</a></p><p>— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NetsKingdomAJ/status/1430340105827463169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">August 25, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>We want to see Nash lean on that duo to cram in as many highlights as possible. Maybe Blake griffin can take a short rest and have a front-row seat for the newest version of Lob City.</p><p><b>3) Conservative load management</b></p><p>This last one is a little disappointing. We know there are going to be paying fans, heading to Barclays Center hoping to see the full wrath of the Nets. “I got to see the best offensive team ever play together” is one heck of a potential claim to boast over lunch the next day. But would you settle for missing out on <i>one</i> of the big three as they load manage their way to the playoffs and win a championship instead? Delayed gratification is the key to this season.</p><p>If James Harden pulls a hamstring within the first month or two of the season, it will cast a pale of concern over the team’s entire season. No matter how many games he might string together upon returning, the coaching staff would be a little nervous that he might aggravate it again.</p><p>So the name of the game, especially during the early season grind will be <i>easy does it. </i>They need to monitor Harden’s minutes when he plays, and try to convince him to rest every few games. It’s not something he’s done willingly in the past. He’s kind of old school in that regard. He wants to be out there. But for the sake of his own legacy, it’s the prudent move to ramp him up slowly.</p><p>A pulled hamstring may have cost Harden two championships now. One suffered by Chris Paul in 2018 when the Rockets built a 3-2 lead over Kevin Durant’s superteam Warriors, and the one he sustained in 2021.</p><p>On Thursday night, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/panthers-news-sam-darnold-cam-erving-drop-bold-takes-on-christian-mccaffrey-injury/" rel="noopener">NFL’s most explosive running back</a> strained a hammy too. These things cannot be taken lightly.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Some thoughts on Christian McCaffrey hamstring injury:</p><p>Grade I strain would mean 1-3 weeks missed</p><p>Grade II 6-8 weeks </p><p>Since 2018 reoccurrence rates: 20% (which is in line with research among sports injuries as a whole)</p><p>When a player miss 3+ games reoccurrence jumps to 25% <a href="https://t.co/0aFDCGVPkS" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/0aFDCGVPkS</a></p><p>— Adam Hutchison PT, DPT (@TheRealAdam_H) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealAdam_H/status/1441248501187301377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>If they do these three things, James Harden will be one of the most important players in the league this season and possibly even win Finals MVP as a point guard, forever changing that silly narrative about him not passing.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 Keys To Unleashing Peak James Harden This Season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Rules-against-James-Harden-Trae-Young-foul-baiting-tactics-revealed.jpg"></figure><h1>New NBA rules against James Harden, Trae Young foul-baiting tactics, revealed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-23T21:33:59-07:00">September 23rd, 9:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-23T21:33:59-07:00">September 23rd, 9:33pm</time><address><a>Gerard Samillano</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It has long been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-news-league-to-address-james-harden-trae-youngs-unnatural-shooting-motions/">rumored</a> by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-news-league-implementing-new-rules-that-will-irk-trae-young-james-harden-luka-doncic/">many insiders</a> that the National Basketball Association is making an effort to curb foul-baiting. Now, in a welcome news for basketball fans, the NBA has officially announced their plans regarding this tactic.</p><p>In a Zoom call with reporters, NBA senior vice president and head of referee development and training Monty McCutchen said that foul-baiting will be a major point of concern for referees in 2021 – 22. (<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32264912/nba-spells-focus-stopping-players-drawing-manipulated-fouls">via ESPN</a>)</p><blockquote>“We want basketball to be played, not manipulated.”“NBA referees are no longer in the business of what would have happened,” McCutchen said, adding that the goal is to determine whether there is an ‘overt, abrupt or abnormal motion’ when the offensive player starts to create contact with the defender.</blockquote><p>Drawing fouls isn’t exactly a new thing in basketball. Plenty of players have done it already before. But today’s NBA stars have learned to abuse the rules to draw egregious fouls. James Harden, Trae Young, and Luka Doncic are among some of the stars that have a notorious reputation for repeatedly trying to draw fouls. With these planned changes in interpretation, the likelihood of them getting weird foul calls will decrease.</p><p>The key point here is that the changes are in the interpretation of the NBA rulebook, not a rule addition or change. Pump-faking a three-point shot to draw a foul is still possible next season. However, the shooter has to be in a “natural” shooting motion to draw the foul. Any unnecessary motion will result in a no-call or even an offensive foul. Their goal is to reduce the times that players like James Harden or Trae Young jump into defenders to get contact by not giving free throws when they do it.</p><p>To put it simply, in McCutchen’s words:</p><blockquote>“We don’t want to disincentivize free throws,” McCutchen said. “We want to disincentivize abnormal moves whose sole purpose is to get free throws.”</blockquote><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

New NBA rules against James Harden, Trae Young foul-baiting tactics, revealed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/kyrie-irving-not-yet-eligible-to-play-in-brooklyn_copy.jpeg"></figure><h1>Kyrie Irving missing time due to vaccination status would be Nets’ nightmare scenario unfolding</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-23T13:51:43-07:00">September 23rd, 1:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-23T13:53:03-07:00">September 23rd, 1:53pm</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>We may have a bit of clarity on the Brooklyn Nets’ vaccination hold-out situation. On Tuesday, we learned that if the team held practices in Brooklyn, a couple of their players<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-5-takeaways-from-media-availability-possible-vaccination-holdouts/"> would not yet be eligible.</a> It wasn’t an issue Tuesday because training camp is in San Diego. But the gist seemed to be that not everyone was vaccinated and therefore eligible to play in New York City yet.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Definitely sounds like there are a few vax holdouts on Nets. With nyc rules, it is a good thing they are holding trading camp in San Diego. <a href="https://t.co/y8etZ2Rbz9" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/y8etZ2Rbz9</a></p><p>— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) <a href="https://twitter.com/meanbarb/status/1440367247118061569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p> </p><p>While the NBA has not instituted any vaccination mandates, local COVID-protocols in cities like New York and San Francisco do have mandates. In turn, players who have yet to take a jab cannot participate in basketball activities. This includes members of the Knicks, Nets, and Warriors. According to a recent report from Yaron Weitzman, writing for Fox Sports, one of the players who is not currently eligible to play is star guard Kyrie Irving.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/unvaccinated-nba-players-could-be-sidelined-in-some-markets-in-2021-22-season" rel="noopener">Per Weitzman: </a></p><blockquote>“One player who could be affected is Nets guard Kyrie Irving. According to multiple league sources, Irving has yet to receive a vaccine shot. Both the Nets and a spokeswoman for Irving declined to comment on the record about Irving’s vaccination status, but Nets general manager Sean Marks was asked during a news conference on Tuesday whether New York City’s mandate could sideline any of his team’s players.“Regarding if they could play today, I can’t comment on who could play and so forth. There would obviously be a couple people missing from that picture,” Marks said. “I won’t get into who it is, but we feel confident in the following several days before camp everybody would be allowed to participate and so forth.”</blockquote><p>We know that Irving is one of the more unique personalities in the NBA. If this report is true, that Irving is indeed one of the Nets not currently eligible to play, it represents a bit of a nightmare scenario for the team. Maybe I’m out on a limb here, but I just don’t see Irving as someone very susceptible to peer pressure. If he has come this far without opting to get vaccinated, I don’t anticipate a mere dialogue with head coach Steve Nash or GM Sean Marks will be what it takes to change his mind. As Marks noted during his media availability recently, it’s a personal decision.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32252348/brooklyn-nets-gm-says-some-players-yet-compliance-new-york-city-vaccine-mandate" rel="noopener">Per Tim Bontemps, writing for ESPN: </a></p><blockquote>“The New York executive order, which went into effect on Sept. 13, states anyone over the age of 12 won’t be allowed to enter “certain covered premises” inside the city — including Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden and any other indoor gym or fitness setting — without providing proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless there is an approved medical or religious exemption for them not doing so.”</blockquote><p>Before we learned anything about Irving specifically, Marks had this to add, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32252348/brooklyn-nets-gm-says-some-players-yet-compliance-new-york-city-vaccine-mandate" rel="noopener">continued from Bontemps’ ESPN report:</a></p><blockquote>“Obviously I can’t get into details for a variety of reasons, whether it’s HIPAA violations or whoever it may be, [but] I think we all understand what’s at stake and we’ve had very candid conversations,” Marks said of discussing the vaccine with Nets players. “Those are individual decisions. … It’s obviously out of our control.“We are supporting getting the vaccination and putting out a healthy squad. So at this point, I think we’re ready to go into the season, we don’t see these — whether it’s a city-wide mandate or a league mandate to follow — being any sort of hindrance to us putting out a team.”</blockquote><p>The biggest threat to the Nets’ title hopes is this: the big 3 aren’t available to play basketball. Anything from the ankle Irving sprained during the second round of the playoffs to a city ordinance requiring proof of COVID vax threatens to derail their supremacy. Now presumably, Marks knew all of this days ago and <i>still</i> publicly displayed confidence his team would be available for the beginning of the season.</p><p>On the other hand, he did acknowledge it’s ultimately a personal decision out of the team’s hands.</p><p>It’s a very complicated issue. Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors, whose team plays in San Francisco, may also face a difficult decision, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCrossover/status/1441073241204871171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1441073241204871171%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D1508627action%3Dedit">potentially barring him from playing home games.</a></p><p>Days ago, Irving raised eyebrows with this tweet:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">My mask is off. Now take yours off. No fear.</p><p>— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyrieIrving/status/1438160955192459278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 15, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>He would later clarify that he did not mean anything related to COVID.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Mask off” means<br>You stop being something you’re not and stop lying to yourself. It’s the moment you discover the real you and can walk around with NO FEAR in a society that shows a lot of the masks people wear to hide who they truly are. </p><p>*nothing COVID rule related!! Relax 🤞🏾</p><p>— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyrieIrving/status/1438287856703737857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 15, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>It’s hard to believe he didn’t realize fans would assume he meant something related to the pandemic. Maybe he was just having some fun with us all.</p><p>Is it possible this issue is why the Nets have not finalized a contract extension for Irving to date? Stephen A. Smith has made the news recently because he claims <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-stephen-a-smith-hints-that-kevin-durant-main-reason-brooklyn-wont-trade-kyrie-irving/" rel="noopener">the Nets would have considered trading Irving for Ben Simmons if Kevin Durant would offer his blessing.</a> But Smith noted KD wanted no part of that. Smith claims that Irving isn’t solely focused on basketball and can be a “bit bizarre.”</p><p>What about a contract extension? We heard things were progressing on that front. Marks reported having had “very positive conversations” with Irving and James Harden regarding max extensions. We would expect some statement out of Irving’s camp soon, either to squash the vaccine rumor or to support the claim.</p><p>In the meantime, fans can simply hold their breath and take some solace that Marks expressed confidence on this matter resolving itself just days ago. It’s a cliche, but these truly are unprecedented times.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kyrie Irving missing time due to vaccination status would be Nets’ nightmare scenario unfolding

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kyrie-Irving-Nets-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Kyrie Irving is one of the Nets players not vaccinated for COVID-19</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-23T12:42:24-07:00">September 23rd, 12:42pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-23T12:43:07-07:00">September 23rd, 12:43pm</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>While most of the NBA has received the vaccine, there is still a number of players who have yet to get the jab. It appears that Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is one of them, <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/unvaccinated-nba-players-could-be-sidelined-in-some-markets-in-2021-22-season">Per Fox Sports</a>.</p><p>Reporters even asked Nets general manager Sean Marks about the players who are unvaccinated and what their availability would be like given the mandates across the state of New York:</p><blockquote>“Regarding if they could play today, I can’t comment on who could play and so forth. There would obviously be a couple people missing from that picture,” Marks said. “I won’t get into who it is, but we feel confident in the following several days before camp everybody would be allowed to participate and so forth.”</blockquote><p>The NBA hasn’t implemented a rule where every single has to be vaccinated or else they cant play. This is likely why there are still certain players who refuse to get it. Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors is another one who is against the vaccine, which could prevent him from playing in home games. This whole situation for the Nets is definitely concerning though. After all, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nba/brooklyn-nets/roster">they do need their whole Big 3</a> of Kyrie, Kevin Durant, and James Harden healthy in order to fulfill their title aspirations.</p><p>The NBA is still exploring the possibility of mandating the vaccine for players. If that does happen, it’s going to put the likes of Irving and Wiggins in a tough spot where they will have no choice but to get the jab.</p><p>The Nets will certainly be concerned about the situation.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kyrie Irving is one of the Nets players not vaccinated for COVID-19

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/James-Harden-Kyrie-Irving-Nets.jpg"></figure><h1>3 things to watch for in Nets Training Camp</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-23T11:39:12-07:00">September 23rd, 11:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-23T11:42:09-07:00">September 23rd, 11:42am</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Nets’ training camp is set for Tuesday September 28th in San Diego. They begin their preseason at Staples Center on the third of October when they’ll face the Lakers. There are a few questions on everyone’s minds as the team gears up for the marathon regular season ahead. Let’s start with three questions we know many will be wondering about.</p><p><b>1)How do James Harden and Kyrie Irving look?</b></p><p>Kyrie Irving (ankle) and James Harden (hamstring) both had some extensive rest/rehab programs to focus on this off-season. We learned on Nets’ media day from General Manager Sean Marks that both <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32252348/brooklyn-nets-gm-says-some-players-yet-compliance-new-york-city-vaccine-mandate" rel="noopener">“look great,” per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.</a> We’re curious to see how they’ll appear and how hard they might play when they first return to the floor. Maybe once they commence practicing together, we’ll gain word on how close to 100 percent each star is feeling. Assuming everyone is in the lineup for at least some preseason action, it’ll be very intriguing to see what versions of themselves they are. I wouldn’t expect much more than a low-gear effort from the stars anyway.</p><p>We’re also wondering if Harden will have any new tricks in his bag. He always seems to come back after an offseason with a new move or two. What he did with the gather step or that double step back changed the way lots of dudes play offense. James is basically a mad scientist and the gym is his lab. Hopefully, his hammy was feeling healthy enough to add to his already deep bag of tricks.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">James Harden’s getting tricky with the one-legged three-point shot 😂 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Rockets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Clippers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Clippers</a> <a href="https://t.co/VEPlzLhFih" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/VEPlzLhFih</a></p><p>— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomerAzarly/status/1179970097084911616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 4, 2019</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><h2><b>2)  Vaccination status</b></h2><p>We’re not likely to learn much during training camp about the team’s vaccination status. Because they’re out in San Diego, they’re all eligible to practice and play. But Marks let it be known that a couple of players would not currently be eligible to practice if they were back in Brooklyn. New York City has local vaccination mandates, and that will apply to the teams that play in cities like New York (Knicks and Nets) and San Francisco (Warriors).</p><p>This could be a potential issue for Golden State forward Andrew Wiggins’ eligibility.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Warriors have "increasing concern" about the availability of Andrew Wiggins due to local COVID-19 mandates, per <a href="https://twitter.com/Rusty_SFChron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@Rusty_SFChron</a></p><p>He has declined getting the vaccine and said he won't receive it unless he's forced to. <a href="https://t.co/XAMkXanGCp" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/XAMkXanGCp</a></p><p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1440876243466047488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 23, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32252348/brooklyn-nets-gm-says-some-players-yet-compliance-new-york-city-vaccine-mandate" rel="noopener">Per Bontemps:</a></p><blockquote>“When asked if he believed the issue would be resolved before regular-season games begin next month, Marks simply said, ‘Correct.'”</blockquote><p>That Marks expects his full team to be eligible is exciting news. At least we’re not hearing any stories like the one the Warriors are dealing with. We still don’t know which players have not been vaccinated or anything about their willingness to eventually comply in the weeks ahead. But it’s certainly a theme that will hover over the team until we do learn more. The mere possibility that they could enter the season without a key member of their rotation (or even a star) could threaten their standing atop the league-wide power rankings. No news is good news on this front for the time being.</p><h2><b>3) Who will run point?</b></h2><p>Perhaps one of the sweetest Valentine’s Day gifts “The Beard” received last season came from his buddy and teammate Kyrie Irving. On February 14th,<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30897633/kyrie-irving-tells-james-harden-point-guard-going-play-shooting-guard-brooklyn-nets-settle-roles" rel="noopener"> Malika Andrews of ESPN reported Kyrie Irving saying the following:</a></p><blockquote>“I just looked at [James Harden] and I said, ‘You’re the point guard, and I’m going to play shooting guard.’ That was as simple as that.”</blockquote><p>We didn’t <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-kyrie-irving-posts-cryptic-message-as-nets-try-to-lock-up-big-3/">get to see the big three of James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant play much last year</a>. But I would guess that not only will we see more of the trio this year, we’ll see plenty of Harden at the point for the Nets.</p><p>James saw his assists per game jump from 7.5 per game in 2020 with Houston up to 10.9 in Brooklyn. I’m sure Irving and Durant will both receive ample opportunity to play the facilitator, especially since we expect Steve Nash to stagger their stars’ minutes and load manage throughout the year. I would also expect Blake Griffin, a very talented passer, to get some burn at point. But it’s our current expectation Harden will be the primary initiator when the big three do share the floor. Nets training camp may make that more clear.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 things to watch for in Nets Training Camp

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Nets-Kyrie-irving-Ben-Simmons-Stephen-A.-Smith-Ben-Simmons-trade-Ben-Simmons-Kyrie-Irving.jpeg"></figure><h1>Stephen A. Smith calls out ‘lies’ on Kyrie Irving-Ben Simmons trade rumor</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-23T09:33:19-07:00">September 23rd, 9:33am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-23T09:33:19-07:00">September 23rd, 9:33am</time><address><a>Nihad Žunić</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The situation with the Philadelphia 76ers and the ongoing Ben Simmons drama seems to have new developments every day. After the Australian forward <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32250236/sources-ben-simmons-report-done-philadelphia-76ers">once again reportedly confirmed he will not be attending training camp</a> with the Sixers, some news came out about a possible trade with the Brooklyn Nets.</p><p>The Nets are always active in trade rumors and, <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10012992-stephen-a-kevin-durant-nixed-nets-trading-kyrie-irving-to-76ers-for-ben-simmons">according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith</a>, there was a possible plan to trade Kyrie Irving for Simmons. The only problem for the Nets was that, according to the same report, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-rumors-kevin-durant-vetoed-kyrie-irving-ben-simmons-swap-claims-stephen-a-smith/">Kevin Durant wasn’t going to be alright with a trade involving Irving.</a></p><p>However, new information came out directly from the original source. Smith went on Twitter, issuing a clarification of some sorts regarding the rumor he started.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here we go with the lies again. I never said any trade offers were made regarding Kyrie &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@BrooklynNets</a>. What I said is, they would do a deal to swap Kyrie for Ben Simmons in a heartbeat, but <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@KDTrey5</a> ain’t having it. He loves his brother Kyrie. He won’t have that!</p><p>— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenasmith/status/1441060011698843648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 23, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Smith basically stated that the Nets would be open to the deal, if not for Durant stopping any talk of that within the franchise. The ESPN analyst started a whole wave of differing opinions from NBA analysts, but it seems like there were never any discussions between the two franchises.</p><p>The Sixers will need to figure out this situation as soon as possible. In the current state, Simmons does not hold a lot of trade value, and dealing him now clearly would not reap the benefits they were hoping for. On the other hand, coach Doc Rivers is still hopeful that the situation can be turned around and will look to get Simmons back on the squad for the upcoming season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Stephen A. Smith calls out ‘lies’ on Kyrie Irving-Ben Simmons trade rumor

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ben-simmons-kyrie-irving-kevin-durant-nets-sixers.jpeg"></figure><h1>The reality behind Kevin Durant’s role in rumored Ben Simmons-Kyrie Irving trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-22T23:52:05-07:00">September 22nd, 11:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-23T16:12:41-07:00">September 23rd, 4:12pm</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>ESPN Insider Stephen A. Smith may not exactly be Adrian Wojnarowski when it comes to scoops. His best strength is dishing rapid-fire opinions on “First Take,” getting a dialogue started on all things sports in a very entertaining manner. But he does have an extensive background as a reporter, beginning his career with The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he was no stranger to breaking news. It appears his sources have a new scoop for him coming out of Philadelphia about a potential Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons trade.</p><p>Smith recently spoke with Kendrick Perkins about the latest Ben Simmons trade rumors. Simmons’ name has come up in connection with almost every single team in the league recently. It does seem more like the former number one overall pick out of LSU’s expected trade out of Philly is a matter of “when,” not “if.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">ESPN Sources: Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons will not report for opening of training camp next week and intends to never play another game for the franchise. Simmons hasn’t spoken to team since a late August meeting when he communicated this message to Sixers officials.</p><p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1440340920805691393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/r0bato/status/1440698853288648706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1440698853288648706%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsixerswire.usatoday.com%2F2021%2F09%2F22%2Fnets-star-kevin-durant-nixed-potential-kyrie-irving-for-ben-simmons-trade%2F">latest</a> from Stephen A. Smith implies the Nets were very much interested in trading Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons until Kevin Durant stepped in and dissuaded them.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stephen A Smith just said the Nets would have traded Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons but Kevin Durant is the one who said no, not GM Sean Marks. <a href="https://t.co/aYYG76qbyT" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/aYYG76qbyT</a></p><p>— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) <a href="https://twitter.com/r0bato/status/1440698853288648706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 22, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Why would the Nets even consider this? We went into more detail on that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-stephen-a-smith-hints-that-kevin-durant-main-reason-brooklyn-wont-trade-kyrie-irving/" rel="noopener">in an earlier post.</a> But if what Smith said were true, it may suggest that Irving’s unexplained (at least to us) absence a year ago might be at the root of things. To recall, Irving took some time off for “personal reasons” in the middle of the season last year.</p><p>Nets general manager Sean Marks expressed his disappointment at the time. Did that incident (and perhaps some others we don’t know about) paint the picture for Brooklyn that Irving is not “all in”? Is it possible the Nets are worried he may go AWOL on them again? The Nets’ brass could lean on the fact that Kevin Durant and James Harden already provide more than enough offense. It could be worth adding a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate who is also a pass-first player with less risk of disappearing.</p><p>The team reportedly most interested in landing Simmons is the Minnesota Timberwolves. They just fired their president of basketball operations, Gersson Rosas, so who knows how that move affects trade talks? I haven’t heard anything about the Nets talking to Philly prior to Smith’s comments. That makes all of this hard to believe.</p><p>I can understand the basketball argument for considering this type of move. I wouldn’t make it myself if I were in Marks’ shoes, but I can at least see the thinking behind it. Adding Simmons, who is equipped to defend Giannis Antetokounmpo, has merit. But if it ain’t broke…</p><p>If Smith’s bold claim — that the Nets would consider this move if Durant was on board — is true, it should tell us something about how nervous they are of the possibility that Irving may check out. Are they too worried he might not be all in? Earlier in the week, the team offered an update that extension talks with Irving, as well as Harden, were progressing. If this stuff was true, it may already be water under the bridge. For now, I’m comfortable labeling it all as “rumors about stuff that never happened” and moving on.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The reality behind Kevin Durant’s role in rumored Ben Simmons-Kyrie Irving trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Michael-Porter-Jr_s-top-3-favorite-players-are-Kevin-Durant-Stephen-Curry-Giannis-Antetokounmpo.jpg"></figure><h1>Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr.’s top 3 favorite players are Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-22T19:57:42-07:00">September 22nd, 7:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-22T19:57:42-07:00">September 22nd, 7:57pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a>Angelo Guinhawa is a basketball and soccer/football editor/writer. He uses his background in digital marketing to make sure you get to read his work. He has previously worked for FOX Sports PH and a number of reputable sports media outlets. If he's not writing or watching sports, he's likely scouring online for his next NBA card purchase.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Michael Porter Jr. has always looked up to Kevin Durant, admitting recently that he still <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-news-michael-porter-jr-honest-take-on-kevin-durant-comparisons/" rel="noopener">has a lot to learn from him</a>. However, there are two other NBA stars that the Denver Nuggets youngster really admires: Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, Porter named the three as his favorite players in the NBA today, and for a good reason. The Nuggets rising star has nothing but respect for Durant, Curry and Anteteounmpo and the mentality they show night in and night out–something that he hopes to adopt as well as his career progresses.</p><p>Porter shared how impressed he is with Giannis and his unwavering confidence. The Milwaukee Bucks star had his fair share of epic fail moments, airballing free throws and 3-pointers more than he wants to admits. Nonetheless, it has never bothered or affected him, as he just continues to play with everything he got.</p><p>“I think Giannis, just strictly for his mentality. You know that dude can airball two free throws in a row and he won’t care at all. He’s gonna come down and try to dunk on you or shoot a three, he just doesn’t care,” the Nuggets forward said of the new NBA champion.</p><p>As for Durant and Curry, Porter shared how much he loves the game of the two. KD remains one of the best scorers in the NBA with his ability to make baskets from virtually anywhere on the court, while Steph continues to exude joy when playing.</p><p>“KD I think he’s just a master at the game of basketball. He can do everything. He’s seven foot, he’s around my size, so I always look to his game. Then Steph, everyone enjoys watching Steph play, the deep threes, he got the handles. He’s just a joy out there and his presence is really unique. I respect his approach to the game,” MPJ further told ClutchPoints.</p><p>Michael Porter Jr.’s admiration for Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo is understandable, and he can definitely learn a lot from watching them. For what it’s worth, before he was drafted in 2018, the Mizzou product mentioned how he sees himself as a mix of Durant and Antetokounmpo.</p><p>It should also be noted that Porter <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-news-michael-porter-jr-talks-about-curious-mike-stephen-curry-nikola-jokic-getting-his-brain-scanned-and-more/" rel="noopener">did work out with Curry this offseason</a>. Both players share the same approach on basketball, family and faith, and the Nuggets will certainly love to see the 23-year-old play with the same type of joy as Steph does whenever he steps foot on the basketball court.</p><p>With Jamal Murray likely <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/jamal-murray-injury-update-nuggets-star-guard-remains-out-indefinitely-after-surgery-on-torn-acl-in-left-knee/" rel="noopener">missing a huge chunk of the 2020-21 campaign</a>, the Nuggets will be leaning on Porter to step up and play like a legitimate star for them. Considering all that, it certainly bodes well that he’s looking up at the right players for a source on inspiration and motivation as he shapes up the basketball player he wants to become.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr.’s top 3 favorite players are Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Magic-Johnson-gives-different-praise-for-Kevin-Durant-after-calling-LeBron-James-_greatest-today_.jpg"></figure><h1>Magic Johnson gives different praise for Nets star Kevin Durant after calling LeBron James ‘greatest today’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-22T15:00:30-07:00">September 22nd, 3:00pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-22T15:00:30-07:00">September 22nd, 3:00pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a>Angelo Guinhawa is a basketball and soccer/football editor/writer. He uses his background in digital marketing to make sure you get to read his work. He has previously worked for FOX Sports PH and a number of reputable sports media outlets. If he's not writing or watching sports, he's likely scouring online for his next NBA card purchase.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Magic Johnson recently called Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James the “<a href="https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1439723698173317123" rel="noopener">greatest player in the game today</a>.” Naturally, he can’t say the same to any other player now. With that said, he gave a rather different but still fitting praise for Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant when they had a business meeting.</p><p>On <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1440719377708421128" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>, Johnson posted a photo of him alongside Durant. It was apparently taken after a dinner meeting on Tuesday night along with the business manager of the Nets forward, Rich Kleiman.</p><blockquote>“I had a fun dinner meeting last night with Kevin Durant, the most unstoppable offensive force in the NBA today, and his business partner Rich Kleiman,” Johnson wrote while tagging Durant’s Twitter handle.</blockquote><p>Magic Johnson is definitely not wrong in calling Kevin Durant the “most unstoppable offensive force” in the modern NBA. His ability to score from anywhere on the floor is truly elite, and his physical tools make it possible for him to even score tough shots. Simply put, the Nets star is a nightmare matchup for everyone.</p><p>However, a case can certainly be made that he is the best player in the game today over LeBron James. After all, there’s a reason why he is considered the favorite to win the Most Valuable Player award for 2021-22.</p><p>Some players <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-news-michael-porter-jr-honest-take-on-kevin-durant-comparisons/" rel="noopener">even think Durant is already the greatest in today’s game</a> since he can do a little bit of everything atop from his elite scoring.</p><p>Then again, Magic just probably don’t want to get in trouble for calling two players the greatest today, so had to differentiate.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic Johnson gives different praise for Nets star Kevin Durant after calling LeBron James ‘greatest today’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/nets-3-biggest-concerns_copy.jpg"></figure><h1>3 biggest concerns for Nets’ 2021-2022 season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-22T13:31:02-07:00">September 22nd, 1:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-22T13:32:27-07:00">September 22nd, 1:32pm</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Check out the power rankings ahead of the 2021-2022 NBA season, and chances are you’ve seen a list with the Brooklyn Nets sitting pretty on top. ESPN’s <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32056322/nba-power-rankings-post-free-agency-edition-how-big-was-summer-shakeup" rel="noopener">post-free-agency power rankings</a> and <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2945997-2021-22-power-rankings-who-has-the-best-chance-to-dethrone-milwaukee-bucks" rel="noopener">Bleacher Report</a> both seem to agree with NBC’s claim that <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/08/11/nba-power-rankings-summer-edition-everyone-is-chasing-the-nets/" rel="noopener">everyone is chasing the Nets.</a> Spend some time speaking with a few jaded Nets fans on the other hand, and if they’re like my buddies, they may respond with something like, “Y<i>eah, yeah, we heard that last year but then Murphy’s Law happened</i>.”</p><p>So let’s do a premortem here. If you showed me next summer in a crystal ball and it showed me the Nets not winning the championship, here would be my best three guesses for what went wrong.</p><h2>Biggest threats to Nets’ title dreams</h2><p><b>1. Variety of maladies</b></p><p>Remember back in 2014 when Gregg Popovich listed Tony Parker as out with a <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/tony-parker-variety-maladies/story?id=22568822" rel="noopener">“variety of maladies?”</a> Coach Pop was a pioneer in the load-management field and even used to have some fun with his injury reports. Pop once <a href="https://s.yimg.com/os/en/blogs/sptusnbaexperts/TD32512.jpg" rel="noopener">listed Tim Duncan as “DNP-old.”</a></p><p>The health of their stars is <i>by far</i> the biggest threat to the Nets’ championship aspirations.</p><p>Kevin Durant looked absolutely fearsome by the playoffs last season, his first year back following surgery on his torn Achilles But KD only appeared in 35 regular-season games in 2020-21, in part because of a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-kevin-durant-shocking-revelation-on-hamstring-injury/" rel="noopener">nasty hamstring injury he picked up,</a> and also because the coaching staff (justifiably) wanted to be conservative with his return to play from major surgery.</p><p>James Harden was playing like his usual MVP-caliber self, even adapting his game to more of a facilitator’s role than he played in Houston. But a hamstring injury sidelined him for some time. When he aggravated the issue in the opening moments of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, it was another major setback. Harden wound up returning to the series, but he wasn’t anywhere near his normal self.</p><p>Kyrie Irving also enjoyed some MVP buzz around his name, especially when he carried the squad during the extended absences of his teammates. But he landed awkwardly during Game 4 of the second round and spent much of this past summer rehabbing an ankle.</p><p>They’re built to be able to sustain some injuries. They just can’t afford to deal with them all at once. Every one of their Big Three has some injury risk. The probability that at least one of them spends some time riding the pine in a big moment is the biggest concern of all here.</p><p><b>2. Another superteam emerges from the shadows</b></p><p>With Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray both rehabbing injuries, and with the Philadelphia 76ers in Ben Simmons trade/holdout purgatory, it’s difficult to look at the NBA landscape and identify a team that might be one splash trade away from truly challenging the Nets’ supremacy. Last winter, the Nets completely altered the NBA power dynamics by landing James Harden in a future-picks-based trade offer that didn’t cost them too much in talent.</p><p>Is there a team out there that could do the same if, say, Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal indicate they might like a change of scenery? The Los Angeles Lakers don’t really have the ammo, having spent so much of their war chest acquiring Anthony Davis. The Miami Heat would probably need Tyler Herro to play more like Zach LaVine before they had a seat at the Lillard table.</p><p>The Golden State Warriors, theoretically, could field a superteam if they were to land a star for some package built around Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, and the recently drafted Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Might the Phoenix Suns consider shopping a package centered on Deandre Ayton and one of Mikal Bridges or Cam Johnson? The Atlanta Hawks have some coveted contracts and young players to potentially consolidate for an All-Star.</p><p>I’m really just spitballing here, but if you told me the Nets were healthy and did <i>not win the title, </i>I’d begin to wonder what contender might have swung a blockbuster trade.</p><p><b>3. Giannis vaults into the stratosphere as Nash’s core struggles with chemistry</b></p><p>The final concern would simply be Giannis Antetokounmpo. To this humble writer’s eye, the best players in the playoffs last year were Kevin Durant and Giannis at the top, with Luka Dončić and Kawhi Leonard right up there as well.</p><p>Giannis, in many ways, took another leap last season. He was already a two-time MVP, but he transcended yet again. Is it possible he has <i>another</i> level to reach? If he can knock down his free throws, 3s, or even short-range jumpers (the type he did find some success with against Blake Griffin during the playoffs) more consistently, he possesses the type of scary talent which could topple any would-be dynasty.</p><p>If Nash rests or simply does not have his starters available for much of the regular season again, the team could struggle with chemistry. The Big Three only appeared in 202 regular-season minutes last year. Having three of the greatest offensive talents ever is quite the luxury. But is there a scenario where they again fail to log big minutes together and ultimately fail to reach “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” status.</p><p>Remember all of those silly “there’s only one ball, and what about defense” takes we were subject to last year? It’s not impossible they come back if the team is forced to load manage their way through the season while Giannis vaults to infinity and beyond.</p><p>If you told me the Nets were reasonably healthy and there was no other superteam out there, here would be my best guess as to what went wrong: Kyrie Irving took some more “personal time” and the distraction impacted the team. Furthermore, they had some nagging injuries and took a very cautious approach, which meant they couldn’t develop chemistry. And, finally, the Bucks just steamrolled the league and locked up home court. In a massive Game 7, Harden didn’t play well, and some role player (like Bobby Portis) erupted with a random 25-point game. We then all wait for reports that KD wasn’t feeling quite healthy because you always wonder that when he gets outplayed by someone.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 biggest concerns for Nets’ 2021-2022 season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/stephen-a-smith-comments-on-the-nets_copy.jpg"></figure><h1>Stephen A. Smith hints that Kevin Durant is main reason Nets won’t trade Kyrie Irving</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-22T08:35:07-07:00">September 22nd, 8:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-22T08:36:20-07:00">September 22nd, 8:36am</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets are the odds-on favorite to win the 2022 NBA championship. When healthy, they have the talent to beat any team in the league, including the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.</p><p>One would think that any team who can boast all of that <i>wouldn’t</i> be looking to make any blockbuster trades. Taking that one step further, ClutchPoints’ Mike Cruz recently argued that the Nets trading Kyrie Irving would <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-trading-kyrie-irving-would-be-the-dumbest-move-of-the-offseason/" rel="noopener">be the dumbest move of the offseason</a> if it were to happen.</p><p>But for one reason or another (perhaps because we’re all just simply bored with creating fake Ben Simmons trades) the Nets’ seven-time All-Star is the latest star to find his name surfacing in trade rumors.</p><p>ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith joined Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine on SiriusXM NBA Radio recently to add some analysis. Smith was asked if there was any chance the Nets could look to move on from Kyrie Irving:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Are the Nets looking to move Kyrie Irving? </p><p>Stephen A. Smith tells Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine what’s going on in Brooklyn <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrooklynTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#BrooklynTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/IevbUbnoUj" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/IevbUbnoUj</a></p><p>— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNBA/status/1439722218217410561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p><a href="https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNBA/status/1439722218217410561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1439722218217410561%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D1505728action%3Dedit" rel="noopener">Per Smith:</a></p><blockquote>“The Brooklyn Nets were never enamored with taking [Irving] on to begin with. They did it because they knew that’s what Kevin Durant wanted. And Kevin Durant is so tight with Kyrie that when Kyrie said, ‘Yo man, Brooklyn’s the spot, not the New York Knicks,’ KD was like, ‘Cool.’”</blockquote><p>Smith continued:</p><blockquote>“Here’s the problem: Mentally, [Irving is] not all about basketball. The problem is it creates a disinterest in him playing basketball, particularly during the regular season. … And so because of that, in an ideal world, does any organization want to deal with that? No. But most would try because Kyrie is just that special. In the case of the Brooklyn Nets, [James] Harden and KD would be enough [to win a championship] but KD wouldn’t be happy if Kyrie walked away and it damn sure can’t be because the Brooklyn Nets pushed him away. … So, it really is in Kyrie’s hands.”</blockquote><p>Smith concluded by noting that Irving is a “bit bizarre.”</p><p>There’s a lot to unpack here and the full context is worth considering. Last season, Irving missed seven games in January and another three in April for “personal reasons.”</p><p>Nets general manager Sean Marks did not deny Irving’s absence was a disappointment to the team, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2021/01/14/nets-gm-sean-marks-says-team-is-disappointed-kyrie-irving-is-not-in-the-trenches-with-us/?sh=4982a8735efb" rel="noopener">per Forbes’ Adam Zagoria:</a></p><blockquote>“Without a doubt, I’m not going to shy away from it, without a doubt the organization is disappointed with not having any one of our players, in this particular case Kyrie, not amongst us, not in the trenches with us and so forth.”</blockquote><p>So if there is any truth to what Stephen A. Smith is saying here, it stands to reason that the only motive to even consider trading Irving would be because the team truly fears him checking out mentally or even vanishing from the team during another critical juncture. There are few on-the-court basketball reasons to risk jeopardizing their standing as the title favorite. Even after Harden (hamstring) and Irving (ankle) were injured during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Durant nearly KO’d the eventual champs without any superstar teammates.</p><p>If they were all healthy, it would have been curtains for the rest of the league.</p><p>Kevin Durant is very close with Irving, and Stephen A. Smith makes clear that Durant would not be happy if Irving “walked away,” and further it wouldn’t fly at all with KD if the Nets moved on from Irving.</p><p>If that’s the bottom line here, it should be good enough for Nets fans. The implication that the team landed both KD and Kyrie because of their friendship and that the same friendship might keep them both in town isn’t a bad thing at all. That has worked out pretty well for a long-suffering fan base so far.</p><p>Marks recently indicated that the team had <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-5-takeaways-from-media-availability-possible-vaccination-holdouts/" rel="noopener">“very positive conversations” regarding contract extensions with Irving</a> and Harden. If they sign Kyrie for the long haul, then all of this gossip will seem like much ado about nothing.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Stephen A. Smith hints that Kevin Durant is main reason Nets won’t trade Kyrie Irving

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Nets-vaccination-Kyrie-Irving-Kevin-Durant-Nets-media-.jpeg"></figure><h1>5 key takeaways from Nets’ media availability. Possible vaccination holdouts?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-22T06:45:47-07:00">September 22nd, 6:45am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-22T06:47:50-07:00">September 22nd, 6:47am</time><address><a>Dave Early</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets are set for training camp on September 28th, and not long after that the first preseason game tips off. The team’s opening exhibition is set for Staples Center where they’ll take on the Lakers during the first week of October. There’s no doubt this is a championship-or-bust kind of year. General Manager Sean Marks and Head Coach Steve Nash were available to the media and shed some light on a few key themes. Let’s look at the top 5 takeaways from their media session earlier.</p><p><b>1) Injury updates</b></p><p>The overwhelming feeling is that the Nets are favorites to win the 2022 title. They’ll just have to remain healthy, and it wouldn’t hurt to find a bit more chemistry than they could muster last year. According to <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/advanced/?Season=2020-21&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;GroupQuantity=3&amp;TeamID=1610612751&amp;sort=GP&amp;dir=1" rel="noopener">NBA.com</a> the trio of Kevin Durant Kyrie Irving, and James Harden only appeared together in 8 regular-season games last season, totaling just 202 minutes. They’ll certainly look to build upon that but where do Harden and Irving stand today?</p><p>Harden dealt with hamstring issues last season. He aggravated the injury in the first moments of the second round against Milwaukee which ultimately ended his season. Irving sprained his right ankle in game four and was not able to continue either. So how are they doing today with their respective rehabs?</p><p>Chris Milholen, for <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" rel="noopener">NetsDaily:</a></p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sean Marks said Kyrie Irving and James Harden “look great and are in good spirits” with their respective rehabs.</p><p>— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMilholenSB/status/1440360328269684746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>We wondered whether or not each guard would be back to 100 percent for the first game of the season. This update doesn’t guarantee that but it is at least a step in the right direction. We know the team is likely to take a very conservative approach to their rehab, utilizing a diligent load-management program for their stars like they did last season. Making sure they’re not pushing their MVP caliber talents too soon in the rehab process is paramount here. But it’s great to hear that they’re progressing well.</p><p><b>2) Vaccination holdouts?</b></p><p>The other thing to be mindful of is the team’s vaccination status. The NBA and NBPA have had ongoing negotiations regarding COVID-related protocols. A recent report from <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32208394/sources-nba-players-required-get-covid-19-vaccination" rel="noopener">ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and Adrian Wojnarowski indicated players will not be required to be vaccinated.</a> But there was an exception.</p><p>Per ESPN:</p><blockquote>“The NBA informed teams in early September that new laws in both New York and San Francisco regarding vaccine requirements will be enforced for members of the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/ny/new-york-knicks">New York Knicks</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/bkn/brooklyn-nets">Brooklyn Nets</a> and <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a> — including for their teams’ players — unless there is an approved medical or religious exemption, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.”</blockquote><p>So there will be local city mandates the team will look to navigate.</p><p>Per <a href="https://www.sny.tv/" rel="noopener">SNY’s</a> Ian Begley:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nets GM Sean Marks says, due to local vaccine mandates, ‘a couple’ players would be unavailable if BKN held practice today. NYC mandate states BKN/NYK players need to be vaccinated to play/practice in city. Marks expressed confidence that all Nets will be available for the season</p><p>— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/1440364396820140038?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>For now, this isn’t a pressing issue, as the team is holding camp in San Diego, California. <i>New York Newsday’s </i>Barbara Barker points out that the mandates do not apply there.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Definitely sounds like there are a few vax holdouts on Nets. With nyc rules, it is a good thing they are holding trading camp in San Diego. <a href="https://t.co/y8etZ2Rbz9" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/y8etZ2Rbz9</a></p><p>— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) <a href="https://twitter.com/meanbarb/status/1440367247118061569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Marks added that he anticipates his players will all be eligible to play by the regular season. The team’s first preseason game in Brooklyn isn’t until October 8th and the home opener is set for October 24th.</p><p>Per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sean Marks says that, as of today, there are "a couple" of players who would not be able to practice because of New York City's vaccine mandate, though he declined to say who. He then added that he anticipates that will no longer be the case by the start of the regular season.</p><p>— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1440363336101609473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>This is still a very important situation to monitor, but at least we know more now.</p><p><b>3) The team did not shy away from their championship expectations</b></p><p>Rarely does a team lose in the second round to the eventual champs, then doesn’t make any major changes in the offseason, but winds up favored over said champs. But it’s the Nets and not the Bucks who have the biggest bullseye on their backs here. There is just too much respect for the amount of top-level firepower the Nets have. The team’s head coach, Steve Nash isn’t playing any “we’re the underdogs here” mind games.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/1440367861503987717?s=20" rel="noopener">Per Begley, Nash stated</a> “we own that we’re out to win a championship, we own that. But it’s a process and you have to win that process to be there at the end.”</p><p><b>4) LaMarcus Aldridge has “unfinished business”</b></p><p>LaMarcus Aldridge was one of the biggest names to join the Nets last season via the buyout market. But his retirement came as a shock to fans when he revealed he was stepping away from basketball because of an irregular heartbeat. The seven-time All-Star only appeared in 5 games last season, but amazingly, he was cleared to resume playing by doctors. The stretch-big signed a one-year $2.6M deal earlier this month. Marks illustrated how he tried to talk Aldridge out of his decision.</p><p>Per Michael Scotto, of <a href="https://hoopshype.com/" rel="noopener">HoopsHype</a>:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nets GM Sean Marks on LaMarcus Aldridge returning: “I tried to talk him out if it. I said, ‘You don’t need this. Why would you come back?’ I think it was important to see his conviction, and it’s not a conviction made without really doing due diligence.” <a href="https://t.co/nOF7VOIHAE" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/nOF7VOIHAE</a></p><p>— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1440370634568056835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>We can assume that Aldridge <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-news-lamarcus-aldridge-true-feelings-on-possible-jersey-retirement-in-portland/" rel="noopener">is aware of any potential risks</a> and feels comfortable with his decision to return to game action. He has little to prove, as Marks notes. The 36-year-old big out of Texas is 48th all-time on the NBA scoring list. But he’s looking to add a ring to his resume.</p><p><b>5) A couple more max extensions on the horizon?</b></p><p>Back in early August, Kevin Durant signed a four-year $198M extension to remain a Brooklyn Net through 2026. But we didn’t know where things stood with Harden and Irving. We got an update there as well. Per <i>New York Daily News’ </i>Kristian Winfield:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sean Marks on James Harden/Kyrie Irving extension talks: "We've had very positive conversations with both of those guys and their family members. It always helps to do those things in person." Says they're going to resume talks in the next 2 weeks or so. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Nets</a></p><p>— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) <a href="https://twitter.com/Krisplashed/status/1440360671418322946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The possibility of the Brooklyn getting these extensions done and having a trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden for the next four to five seasons (plus an ownership duo of Clara Wu and Joe Tsai willing to pay luxury taxes to retain this nucleus) should strike fear in hearts of the rest of the league. Any development on this extension front is very big news. Opposing executives rightfully construct <i>multiyear schemes</i> to land even one player as good as any single member of the Nets’ big three. And they might just keep the band together for the long haul.  That’s a scary thought for everyone else.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

5 key takeaways from Nets’ media availability. Possible vaccination holdouts?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kevin-Durant_s-1-word-reaction-to-Isiah-Thomas_s-Kyrie-Irving-take.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets star Kevin Durant’s 1-word reaction to Isiah Thomas’ Kyrie Irving take</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-21T20:11:17-07:00">September 21st, 8:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-21T20:11:17-07:00">September 21st, 8:11pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a>Angelo Guinhawa is a basketball and soccer/football editor/writer. He uses his background in digital marketing to make sure you get to read his work. He has previously worked for FOX Sports PH and a number of reputable sports media outlets. If he's not writing or watching sports, he's likely scouring online for his next NBA card purchase.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>NBA legend Isiah Thomas recently <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-isiah-thomas-bold-claim-about-kyrie-irvings-importance-to-brooklyn/" rel="noopener">claimed</a> that the Brooklyn Nets “will not win the championship” without Kyrie Irving. Kevin Durant, for his part, couldn’t agree more.</p><p>On social media, Durant made sure to let everyone know how he feels after Thomas and former Nets guards Kenny Anderson and Sherman Douglas <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CT_Ari5stXD/" rel="noopener">showed their support to Irving</a>. Thomas, in particular, had nothing but praises for Kyrie and his impact to the game that people often overlook. In response, KD simply said “Factory” and “Fact.”</p><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Capture.jpg"></figure><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kevin Durant agrees with Isiah Thomas' take that the Nets cannot win a title if Kyrie Irving doesn't play <a href="https://t.co/7fVKxL6MIx" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/7fVKxL6MIx</a></p><p>— Steve DelVecchio (@SteveDelSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveDelSports/status/1440392966611169280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>For what it’s worth, it’s true that Kyrie Irving is a crucial part of the Nets. In fact, his injury in the second round of the 2021 playoffs was a massive blow to the team and they eventually faltered in his absence.</p><p>While Kevin Durant has proven his ability to take over games and win for the Nets, there is no doubt he needs Irving and his backcourt partner James Harden to win and compete against the other powerhouse teams in the NBA filled with All-Star talent.</p><p>Not to mention that Irving’s championship experience and ability to perform in clutch situations should be beneficial for Brooklyn in their quest for their first Larry O’Brien trophy.</p><p>The Nets will certainly hope that Irving and the rest of their Big 3 will be able to stay healthy and play more together in 2021-22. If they are able to do so, then there’s no doubt they can dominate in the playoffs and easily make their way to the NBA Finals.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets star Kevin Durant’s 1-word reaction to Isiah Thomas’ Kyrie Irving take

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/image_2021-09-22_091747.png"></figure><h1>Kevin Durant, Nets’ X-factor for title run, according to Steve Nash</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-21T18:41:33-07:00">September 21st, 6:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-21T18:41:33-07:00">September 21st, 6:41pm</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/@rpsalao">R.P. Salao</a>Check out my best stuff on Medium - medium.com/@rpsalao.I also post quality NBA YouTube content - tinyurl.com/SalaoYouTube.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen, the two main big men on the Brooklyn Nets roster to start last season, are long gone. That leaves a huge hole on the team for a defensive-minded rim-protector.</p><p>Head coach Steve Nash believes that third-year player Nic Claxton could be that guy. Nash spoke out about Claxton during his press conference alongside Nets GM Sean Marks, claiming that the 6’11” big man is poised for a “prominent role”.</p><p><a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/9/21/22686854/sean-marks-confident-nets-will-meet-vaccine-regs-and-remains-very-positive-on-extensions">Via</a> NetsDaily:</p><blockquote>“I think Nic is an important part of what we do. He’s a unique profile on our roster, an athletic, active big who can finish around the basket, guard multiple positions. That’s I think something that is very unique on our roster and he’s one of our better defenders, so I see Nic having a prominent role.”</blockquote><p>The Nets <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/with-lamarcus-aldridge-back-who-should-be-the-nets-starting-center/">re-upped their two higher-profile big men</a> from last season in Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge. But neither of them can serve as a true defensive presence in the paint, which will be critical in certain matchups for Brooklyn.</p><p>Claxton wasn’t given much run last season, but in limited minutes he looked every bit the part of the hard-nosed player they need, willing to do the dirty work while Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving did the heavy lifting.</p><p>The Nets <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/claxtni01.html">big man tallied</a> 1.3 blocks, 0.7 steals, and 5.2 rebounds per game in just a shade over 18 minutes in the regular season. He got even less playing time in the postseason, but still managed to average one block in 12 games played and highly erratic minutes on the court.</p><p>While defensive stats aren’t definitive to mean impact, it’s at least indicative of the activity level and mobility he has at the five spot. Nic Claxton can provide Brooklyn with a different look on the defensive end when needed. For a team so heavily geared towards scoring, that could prove to be invaluable.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant, Nets’ X-factor for title run, according to Steve Nash

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LeBron-James-Kevin-Durant-react-to-Iman-Shumpert_s-viral-Dancing-with-the-Stars-performance.jpg"></figure><h1>LeBron James, Kevin Durant react to Iman Shumpert’s viral Dancing with the Stars performance</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-09-21T16:49:04-07:00">September 21st, 4:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-09-22T22:32:49-07:00">September 22nd, 10:32pm</time><address><a>Paolo Songco</a>A father of two over-energetic boys, Pao has been a writer for ClutchPoints for many years. His passion lies in all things NBA and he has a knack for speaking his mind in his articles -- even when at times it gets him into trouble with the fans. Controversial? Maybe. Excellent writer? Definitely.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Iman Shumpert made headlines after his jaw-dropping <i>Dancing with the Stars</i> performance went viral. Personalities from in and around the NBA have been reacting to Shump’s epic showing, which includes two of the biggest superstars in the game in LeBron James and Kevin Durant.</p><p>The Los Angeles Lakers superstar immediately took to <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1440311301327114244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1440311301327114244%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcavaliersnation.com%2F2021%2F09%2F21%2Flebron-james-tells-fans-to-vote-for-iman-shumpert-after-dazzling-dancing-with-the-stars-appearance%2F">Twitter</a> as soon as he saw Shumpert’s performance. Shump was a teammate of LeBron for many years in Cleveland, and the 6-foot-5 guard/forward was part of the Cavs’ 2016 title run. James clearly enjoyed the Shumpert show and he made sure to campaign for his former teammate:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ayyyyeeeeeee!!!!!! Let’s go <a href="https://twitter.com/imanshumpert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@imanshumpert</a>! Make sure y’all go vote for him ASAP! <a href="https://t.co/8chYbuEcWI" target="_blank">https://t.co/8chYbuEcWI</a></p><p>— LeBron James (@KingJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1440311301327114244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets also caught wind of Shumpert’s act, and he, too, was left in awe:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Elite activity. Salute god <a href="https://t.co/3B3qkAjLRo" target="_blank">https://t.co/3B3qkAjLRo</a></p><p>— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/1440200219447021574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">September 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Shumpert was also teammates with KD in Brooklyn with the former having a couple of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-brooklyns-intentions-revealed-after-waiving-iman-shumpert-andre-roberson/">brief stints</a> with the Nets over the past two seasons. Nevertheless, we suspect that Durant himself didn’t know that Iman Shumpert had these types of moves on the dance floor. KD (and even LeBron for that matter) probably had an idea that Shump was a pretty good dancer, but they too were probably shocked at the immense talent he showcased on the grandest stage of them all.</p><p>Shumpert is currently a free agent, and he isn’t exactly the most sought-after player in the market right now. It looks like he has found a new career, though, if ever his time in the NBA comes to an end.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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