Biggest Names On The Block

Atlanta forward Josh Smith is one of the most popular names
on the trade block this season.

      Nearly one month away from the trade deadline, most NBA teams have figured out their identity as the season approaches its midpoint. Several teams are bona fide contenders (Thunder, Heat), some are middle of the road (Rockets, Bucks) and some are flat out train wrecks (Phoenix, Cleveland). Several teams who are contenders or middle of the road teams are eager to make a swap that will propel their team into playoff contention, where it could be anyone's game. Here are some of the top trade targets of this season and where they could be dealt by February 21st.


1. Rudy Gay

Statistics: 17.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 36.6 MPG

Overview: Rudy Gay is a solid player in this league, but he's yet to be named an All Star. To be honest, this is the first time Gay and power forward Zach Randolph have been fully healthy together and with Marc Gasol, the trio forms one of the best frontcourts in the Association. Memphis has shined early on in the season and has proven to be able to hold its own against other contenders. The only reason why Memphis is attempting to deal Gay is because of his contract. Most will agree that Gay is grossly overpaid and in turn, that is why the Grizzlies are looking to deal the small forward. Gay serves as an effective scorer on any team and can instantly impact a struggling offense.

Best Fit: Phoenix Suns. The Suns have been setting since early December and it doesn't look like things will be getting better any time soon. Head coach Alvin Gentry and the team agreed to mutually part ways. Phoenix has several interesting pieces that could interest Memphis, but it might take a 3-team deal to make it work. Check out my deal here in which Memphis also receives a first round draft pick from Phoenix. In Phoenix, Gay would become the franchise player and continue to make strides while he is still in his prime.

2. Tyreke Evans

Statistics: 14.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 30.0 MPG

Overview: Since he won Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans has steadily declined in Sacramento. The team has been stagnant since Evans was drafted and the havoc around the franchise has not helped. The Kings are on the verge of being sold, possibly to be relocated. Head coach Keith Smart has been unable to command the team and DeMarcus Cousins incidents seem to be one of the few things keeping the Kings relevant in the NBA. Evans' value is at a career low, but on a contending team, he might be able to live up to his potential.


Will Evans be sent out of the
Kings' court?

Best Fit: Indiana Pacers. Many people are assuming when forward Danny Granger comes back, the Pacers could fight for a top spot in the Eastern Conference. It's debatable, but at the same time, Granger has hit his peak and nobody knows how he will come back from injury. Granger is supposed to return soon, but the Paul George era has already begun in Indiana. George fits best at the small forward position but without Granger, the Pacers have gotten limited production from the shooting guard position. Lance Stephenson and Orlando Johnson are two young players who are still developing, but Evans can come in and become a huge piece of the puzzle immediately. In this trade, Indiana will also receive a protected first round draft pick.

3. Anderson Varejao

Statistics: 14.1 PPG, 14.4 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.6 BPG, 36.0 MPG

Overview: Varejao's value is arguably the hardest to gauge of any player in the NBA. Since the 2012 London Olympics, in which Varejao was a member of Brazil's team, he has played great basketball. However, the 30-year old injured his right quadriceps muscle earlier in the season and underwent successful surgery last week. The big man will be sidelined until March and it might scare teams off from pursuing a trade for Cleveland's center. However, when healthy, Varejao has proven to be a menace on the glass and solid in the post on both sides of the ball.

Best Fit: Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota has been decimated by injuries and is now on the outside looking in for the Western Conference playoff seeding. All Star Kevin Love will be sidelined for a while, but if Varejao can return healthy, he can at the very least give the Timberwolves another dominant rebounder. Also, Nikola Pekovic could leave in free agency and Varejao would provide a suitable replacement for years to come. In this 4-team trade involving Minnesota, Cleveland, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, the Cavaliers would also receive a lottery-protected first round draft pick from the Timberwolves. Varejao and Love, if on the same team, could become the top rebounding duo in the NBA.

4. Paul Millsap

Statistics: 14.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 30.5 MPG

Overview: Millsap has been a fixture in Utah for years now, but it might be time for the Jazz to trade the athletic power forward. Millsap can score but is mostly known for his defensive prowess. He is an expiring contract, but also has a successor waiting in the wings in Utah. Derrick Favors, who was acquired from the Nets in the Deron Williams transaction, has continued to grow as an all-around player and is just scratching the surface of his prime. Millsap has never been an All Star, but his level of productivity would be welcome by any franchise.

Best Fit: Brooklyn Nets. Last season, the Nets had trouble getting offense from the small forward position. That problem was fixed once they traded for Gerald Wallace. Now, the Nets can't seem to get much offense from the power forward position. Kris Humphries, after signing a big contract, has not replicated the production of his last two seasons. Reggie Evans is great on the glass, but is limited offensively. Mirza Teletovic has come on a bit of late, but his defense is still questionable and he's yet to make a smooth transition to the NBA. In a 3-team trade also involving Charlotte, Utah would receive a future first round draft pick from Brooklyn in the package.

5. Al Jefferson

Statistics: 17.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 BPG, 32.9 MPG

Overview: Millsap's teammate, Al Jefferson, has also been a hot commodity on the trade block. The big man has been an anchor for the Jazz since he was acquired from the Timberwolves. Jefferson has also never been an All Star, but is regarded as one of the top centers in the NBA. He is polished on the offensive end and his defense has improved this season. Jefferson will be certainly be among trade discussions during the next month.

Best Fit: San Antonio Spurs. Why the Spurs? Head coach Gregg Popovich has ingrained a winning culture into the franchise and although San Antonio isn't a team that would usually make a deal of this magnitude, it would certainly build on the franchise's chances of winning another championship. "Big Al" would become another sturdy force in the paint next to Tim Duncan and they would be able to match or dominate any other frontcourt combo in the NBA. If the Spurs re-signed Jefferson, he would be a force in the paint for years to come even after future Hall of Fame member Tim Duncan retires. In this swap, Utah would also receive two future first round draft picks.

6. Jose Calderon

Statistics: 10.8 PPG, 7.6 APG, 2.5 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 28.1 MPG

Overview: Coming into the season, it was widely assumed that the Raptors would move Calderon because of his expiring contract as well as the team's acquisition of point guard Kyle Lowry. While Lowry has performed well this season, he's also been injured often and Calderon has capitalized on his opportunities. The Raptors are playing it smart by starting Calderon to raise the 31-year old's value. Calderon is a great free throw shooter and facilitator who would be serviceable for a contending team.

Best Fit: Miami Heat. The Heat probably won't be making a move for a point guard at the deadline, but that doesn't mean Calderon wouldn't fit in Miami. As mentioned before, Calderon is a great facilitator who could spread the ball around to Miami's "Big 3" of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade as well as all of their shooters. Calderon is an upgrade over Mario Chalmers and might be able to break Miami out of its recent woes. While this trade isn't probably what would be best for Toronto, they'd also receive a first round draft pick from Miami. This trade is proposed because I believe Calderon would fit with the Heat, not necessarily because it's the best package available for the Raptors.

7. Josh Smith

Statistics: 16.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.2 BPG, 34.9 MPG

Overview: Josh Smith, born and raised in Georgia, has played for the Atlanta Hawks for his entire career, but that doesn't mean he's untouchable. This season, Smith has clashed with his head coach, Larry Drew, on a number of occasions. He was recently suspended for a game against the Brooklyn Nets for "conduct detrimental to the team." Smith is an expiring contract and it's very plausible that he could spurn Atlanta for another franchise. General Manager Danny Ferry will have to think long and hard about this one, but if he can acquire more young prospects, his team will be set up well for the future.

Best Fit: Houston Rockets. In the summer, Houston vehemently pursued Dwight Howard, but to no avail. Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey has proven he will go at lengths to improve his team after outbidding the Knicks for Jeremy Lin and trading for shooting guard James Harden just before the start of the season. Harden and Lin form a solid, young backcourt, but the Rockets are yet to have a true inside presence. Omer Asik is starting to come into his own, as is Chandler Parsons, but they are still developing. Insert Josh Smith into Houston's starting lineup and this team has a dynamic "Big 3" of Lin, Harden and Smith for years to come. In the swap, Atlanta gets three young prospects and a proficient perimeter shooter.

      Comments? Trade proposals? Leave them below in the comments section!

What's Next For The Nets?

Avery Johnson (right) has been fired as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.
His top assistant, P.J. Carlesimo (left), has been named the interim head coach.

      Brooklyn Nets principal owner Mikhail Prokhorov claimed he made his decision last week, but the other day signified the end of the Avery Johnson era with the Nets. After posting a 60-116 record in less than three seasons with the Nets, Johnson was relieved of his head coaching duties. His assistant, P.J. Carlesimo, was named the interim coach and led the Nets to a dominating win against the Charlotte Bobcat in his debut, 97-81. The Nets started out the season great, so well that Johnson was named Coach of the Month for October/November. In December, however, the Nets have won four out of 14 games played which led to Prokhorov's quick, brash decision to fire his head coach. Let's examine what could be next for the Nets.

1. The Head Coaching Carousel

      Now that Johnson is no longer associated with the Nets, Brooklyn will be searching for a new head coach immediately. Prokhorov stood by Carlesimo in a recent media conference and seems to want to give him a fair chance. But, he did not deny rumors or speculation of looking for a new head coach including one of the most hailed coaches of all-time, Phil Jackson. According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the coaching list of the Nets includes Jackson, Brooklyn native Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Van Gundy and Nate McMillan. Obviously, the Nets are going to pursue Jackson more than any coach ever before. McMillan and Dunleavy have had pedestrian yet respectable coaching careers, but neither are truly the big name Prokhorov covets in his head coach. Van Gundy is an intriguing option, but reports are that the former New York Knicks head coach would rather gauge the possibility after the season. For now, it figures that Carlesimo will get his audition over the next few weeks. Whether he capitalizes on it or not will determine who coaches the Nets for the rest of this season.

2. The Trade Market

      Could the Nets be in the market already? When a team has an owner determined to overtake the crosstown rival Knicks and win a championship, a fan should not be surprised of any bold moves the team might make. General Manager Billy King has plenty of work to do over the next few months, but the team has very little assets. Forward Kris Humphries and guard MarShon Brooks are the Nets' most attractive pieces and the Nets might be willing to trade them for a more skilled power forward like Atlanta's Josh Smith, Utah's Paul Millsap, Toronto's Andrea Bargnani or Indiana's David West. The Nets could also be in the market for shooters off the bench, because Keith Bogans and Jerry Stackhouse have shown to be the only real threats. As of late, the veteran Stackhouse has struggled after suffering an injury, but Bogans has been proficient from behind the 3-point line. Bosnian forward Mirza Teletovic, the one the Nets viewed as a threat shooter off the bench, has been a bust in the early stages of his NBA career. The Nets could target, as previously mentioned, Bargnani of the Raptors, as well as Phoenix's Jared Dudley, Boston's Courtney Lee or Orlando's J.J. Redick. If the Nets decide to deal the much-embattled Humphries, a trade would take place after January 15th because of his current contract. Brooks, an offensive talent with the potential to become a juggernaut, could thrive in a sixth man role if given more playing time. However, his lack of defensive prowess finds him on the bench more often times than not and it may hurt his value to other teams. Several analysts have thrown out the possibility of the Nets trading one of their "core players" (Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez) but the situation would be highly unlikely unless one of them is absurdly struggling or an offer is simply too good to pass up.

3. Getting Deron Williams Back to All Star Form

      Any true NBA fan, not just Nets fans, know that Deron Williams is a better player than he has been this season. Before Carlesimo's coaching debut against Charlotte, Williams expressed his lack of confidence in his jump shot. However, he scored 17 points in the first half and his jumper looked as sweet as it ever has all season. Williams will have several tough tests ahead, where he'll be facing some of the NBA's top point guards in Kyrie Irving, Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook. If Carlesimo can motivate Williams properly and get him good-looking, open shots against these talented point guards, Williams might be able to string solid consecutive performances and be recognized again as the All Star that he truly is. His confidence would build and he'd single-handedly make the Nets a definitive force in the Eastern Conference again.

      Do you think it was the right move for the Nets to fire Avery Johnson? Who do you think will be the Nets' new head coach for the 2013-14 season? Because of their struggles, do you think Humphries and Brooks could be sent out the door and in exchange for whom? And how do you think the coaching change will affect the game and reputation of Deron Williams? Sound off in the comments section below!

Net Gain: Is Brooklyn A True Contender?

Is Brooklyn in the house? Gerald Wallace (left) and the Nets shut down
Carmelo Anthony (right) and the Knicks late en route to an overtime win.

      After completing a thrilling overtime victory against the Knicks 96-89 in the first "Clash of the Boroughs," the Nets jumped to a pleasant 9-4 record and sit atop the Atlantic Division over their cross-city rivals. This game was important for many reasons, but for Brooklyn, it meant a chance to make its presence felt around the NBA. Knicks fans will point to the injuries of Iman Shumpert, Jason Kidd and Amare Stoudemire, who seems like an afterthought because the Knicks started this season scorching hot, but the Nets claimed bragging rights and made a statement in their win Monday night. Riding a three-game winning streak, the Nets travel to Boston for a Wednesday night matinee against the division-rival Celtics, who lost to the Nets in Brooklyn earlier this season without All Star point guard Rajon Rondo. The Nets have had several key victories, but also some bad losses. After 13 games, do you believe the Nets are true contenders in the Eastern Conference? Let's break down Brooklyn and determine if they already are what they were built last summer to be...

Brook Lopez Is Ascending to "Elite" Status

      If you've been a Nets fan for at least the past five years and have truly gotten to watch Brook Lopez develop, you have to be excited about his future after the first 13 games of the season. Lopez had arguably the most well-rounded stat line of his career in the win against New York, totaling 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks. Lopez is one of the NBA leaders in blocks per game and has grown into a better defender under Avery Johnson. He has become a versatile offensive weapon and the team's leading scorer. Lopez is playing like an All Star, and his continued growth will carry the Nets to new heights this season and beyond.

Jerry Stackhouse Has Proven Me Wrong

      During the off season, I ripped Nets General Manager Billy King for signing the veteran swingman. Stackhouse has bounced around in the league for the past couple seasons and I thought his arrival to Brooklyn wouldn't do much. He came in as a "player-coach" but has transcended that role better than I think anyone could have ever imagined. He has served as a sensational mentor and shooter for Brooklyn and I hope that when he eventually hangs up the laces, he becomes part of the Nets' coaching staff. Last night, Stackhouse had arguably his best game during his short tenure with the Nets, scoring 14 points and shooting 4-5 from behind the three-point line. He played crucial minutes down the stretch for Brooklyn and hit big shots throughout the game. I, for one, am certainly asking for a Nets Jerry Stackhouse jersey this Christmas.

Deron Williams Playing Well Through Injury

      His field-goal percentage isn't great and his three-point shooting is probably the worst of his career, but Deron Williams has shown he is the Nets' alpha dog and can do terrific things with a basketball in his hands. Williams has battled wrist, calf and ankle injuries since the preseason, but has performed admirably in the first 13 games of the season. He uses his impressive strength to man up against opposing guards and can usually take advantage of most of his matchups. Williams has stated that he is "fine" and the injuries are nothing to worry about, so Nets fans should not be worried either. If Williams can get fully healthy, keep leading the Nets to victories and improve his shooting percentages, he could become a legitimate MVP candidate. Maybe it's premature, but Williams did receive MVP chants near overtime's end against the Knicks.

Toughness: Something You Can't Teach, Unless You're Reggie Evans

     The Nets' acquisition of Reggie Evans has provided the fans and organization much joy. His swagger and toughness is just what the fans in Brooklyn love and as a result, Evans has become an integral part of the Nets rotation and a fan favorite. Evans has exhibited excellent rebounding and sound defense, which has rubbed off on his teammates. Brooklyn is the top team in points allowed in the NBA, according to stats from ESPN.com.

Joe Johnson is Yet to Find His Role in the Brooklyn Offense

      After two exceptional games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers, it looked like Joe Johnson was on the precipice of breaking out in his first season with the Nets. However, his shooting woes from before that two-game burst reappeared against the Knicks. Johnson scored a mere eight points on 3-12 shooting Monday evening against New York. Neither he nor head coach Avery Johnson seem too concerned, but fans remain scratching their heads. However, let's remember that it took time for even the Miami Heat to jell and the same case could be made for Joe with the Nets. The six-time All Star will look to bounce back against a former team, the Celtics, on Wednesday night. Teamed with a dynamic point guard in Deron Williams and several other scorers on the Nets, I'm sure Johnson will soon break out of his early season slump. When Johnson eventually finds his groove, it may help Brooklyn enough to capture its first Atlantic Division title in seven years.

Jay-Z's Controversial Tweet

      Last night, the Brooklyn Nets minority owner and rap genius took to Twitter to express his excitement about his (well, somewhat his) franchise. Considering Mr. Carter has tweeted only 36 times in four years, the Nets victory certainly meant a lot to him. Per his Twitter account:

"The city is under new management."

     As an avid Nets fan, this tweet helped me sleep even better last night, while Knicks fans were probably face palm-ing themselves after what is most likely a night they want to forget. Could this serve as motivation for Brooklyn throughout the season? I don't know about that, but it certainly adds fuel to the fast-growing fire in the Nets-Knicks rivalry.

Overall Assessment

      The Nets have achieved a surprising amount early in this season and they continue to improve. The main knock on Brooklyn this past summer was that they would not be a great defensive team, but if you believe that numbers never lie, the Nets -- at the moment -- are the best defensive team in the Association. Brooklyn has built a solid core of veterans and players hitting their prime. Their growing chemistry gives Nets fans even more hope for future success. The Battle of the Boroughs will go on for a long time, but for now, the Nets are winning in the early stages. The Nets have a tough week scheduled ahead in which they'll face Boston, Miami and Oklahoma City. If Brooklyn can win or compete at a high level in those games, they could jump into the elite echelon and get involved in the discussion of title contenders. As of now, however, the Nets have taken advantage of their weaker strength of schedule and are second place in the Eastern Conference. The Nets like to play at a grind-it-out type of pace and will typically slow into a half court offense. If the Nets can consistently perform like they have on defense and play at their tempo throughout the season, they will be a playoff team for the first time since the 2006-07 season. From there, as Kevin Garnett once said, anything is possible.

Keys for the Nets In Their First West Coast Trip

Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez (left to right) have led
the Brooklyn Nets to a fast 5-2 start.

      Early in the season, the Brooklyn Nets have started to make their own mark in the NBA. After a complete franchise overhaul during the past summer, the Nets showcased their new team in a season-opening victory against the Toronto Raptors. After two tough, unimpressive losses to Minnesota and Miami, the Nets have bounced back, beating Orlando (twice), Cleveland, and the Rajon Rondo-less Boston Celtics in their first appearance on TNT since January 2008. Brooklyn stands at the third seed in the Eastern Conference after two weeks and will embark on a road trip in which they will face the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Here are key areas of focus for the Nets during their road trip and what they will need to do to come back home on a high note:

1. Interior Defense

      This is probably the most obvious, especially because the Nets have not been incredibly impressive against players like Andrea Bargnani, Nikola Vucevic and Anderson Varejao. In Sacramento, they'll have to face double-double machine and growing young star DeMarcus Cousins and an athletic rookie in Thomas Robinson. In the second game of the road trip, the Nets will be taking on the Lakers, who will be running a more potent offense under Mike D'Antoni. Steve Nash being injured certainly limits the pick-and-roll creativity, but the Nets will need Gerald Wallace back for this game to help Lopez and Kris Humphries defend All Stars Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol in the paint. In their last game of the trip, the Nets take on David Lee, Andrew Bogut and the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are a very talented offensive squad and will look to incorporate their inside-outside attack at the beginning of the game. Lopez has averaged nearly three blocks per game this season and Humphries has been the tenacious big man on the glass that he has been during his tenure with the Nets, but both will need to step up immensely for the Nets to return home on happy terms.

2. Gerald Wallace's Health

      Wallace is Brooklyn's best defender and will be called on to cover several talented wings on the Nets' west coast swing including Tyreke Evans, Harrison Barnes and Metta World Peace. His health and productivity will be crucial during the latter stage of the three-game set, when the Nets play back-to-back games against the Lakers and Warriors, two much-improved teams.

3. Joe Johnson's Scoring

      Seven games into the season, Johnson has performed modestly, averaging 16.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is just under 39%, which is not exactly great for a player who will be paid $89 million over the next four years, but Johnson is still developing chemistry with his new teammates. However, he has stepped up in the final minutes of games and led the Nets to several solid victories. Johnson could have a particularly good game against the Warriors, a bad defensive team, but it will be more of a measuring stick to see how he plays against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Expect Johnson to progress throughout the season, but there's no denying this will be a critical stretch for the six-time All Star.

4. Brooklyn's Bench Mob

      Andray Blatche's self-proclaimed "Bench Mob" has been a strong suit for the Nets for much of the season. He, C.J. Watson, Reggie Evans and even Jerry Stackhouse have performed well and given the Nets a formidable, dependable second unit. In the Nets' close victory against the Celtics last Thursday, the second unit did not execute on offense or defense very well and let Boston take their first lead of the game in the third quarter. It will be an interesting sub-plot to see if Brooklyn's "Bench Mob" will be able to bounce back on the road trip.

5. Dwight Howard Faces Brooklyn

      If you have NBA TV on your television, you'll be able to watch the Nets take on the Lakers Tuesday evening on NBA TV's Fan Night game of the night. It will be the first time All Star center Dwight Howard gets a taste of the team he pushed to be on. It will be intriguing to see if Brook Lopez can battle in the paint against Howard. Lopez was the major trade chip in the Nets' multiple trade scenarios for Howard, but the Magic never wanted to deal Howard to the Nets. TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal has given Lopez high praise, saying he is better than Dwight Howard. That is probably a stretch, but nobody with knowledge about professional basketball can say that Lopez is a very promising, talented offensive center. But can he match up against Dwight Howard and the Lakers? We'll have to see.

6. Can Deron Williams Take Advantage?

      During the Nets' road trip, Williams will go up against Aaron Brooks, Darius Morris and Stephen Curry. It's nearly blatant to see that Williams should be able to rack up sensational statistics against these point guards. As the franchise player, he is expected to carry this Nets team on his back and I expect him to have a successful west coast trip.


      As the first west coast swing of the season, this will be an important time frame for the Nets. When they return to Brooklyn, they will face the New York Knicks for the first time in the Battle of the Boroughs. How do you think the Nets will fare on their first west coast trip? Leave a comment below with your thoughts and predictions!

Andrew Bynum Out Until 2013?

Bynum can produce, but he has yet to step on the court for the Sixers.

     According to multiple reports, Philadelphia 76ers All Star center Andrew Bynum -- the team's most prized trade acquisition over the summer -- will continue to be sidelined because of a nagging knee injury until at least December. ESPN's Brian Windhorst claims that Bynum will not be suiting up for the Sixers any time soon and projects him to resume basketball activities in five weeks. However, Philadelphia needs another additional one to four weeks to get Bynum in game-shape through training and conditioning exercises, which could possibly push the big man's debut date until after January 1, 2013.

     Bynum was part of the four-team trade that sent disgruntled superstar Dwight Howard from the Magic to the Lakers. In the trade, the Sixers dealt their on-court leader Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets, as well as Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless and a first-round pick to the Magic for Bynum and guard Jason Richardson, who has also been hampered by injuries through the first two weeks of the 2012-13 season. Fans, coaches, players and executives of the Sixers organization are counting on Bynum to step in and elevate the team into "title contender" status, but Philadelphia's hopes could be dashed if Bynum's right knee continues to trouble him. The Sixers are currently second in the Atlantic Division behind the only remaining undefeated NBA team, the resurgent New York Knicks.

Brooklyn Nets Win Season Opener

Deron Williams and Brook Lopez led the Nets to an opening night
victory against the Raptors.

      In their first regular season game at the Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets pulled off a gritty victory against their Atlantic Division rival, the Toronto Raptors, winning by a final score of 107-100. Here's some quick highlights and analysis of the game:

- Before the game, Deron Williams and NBA commissioner David Stern presented concise speeches to an exuberant Brooklyn crowd. Williams, Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace then exchanged jerseys with former Brooklyn Dodgers Ralph Branca, Joe Pignatano and the son of legendary Dodger Gil Hodges, Gil Hodges Jr.

- Deron Williams scored the first official basket of Brooklyn Nets history, hitting a 20-foot jumper from the left wing early in the first quarter.

- Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry has proven in the first two games that he can be an effective starter for the Raptors. In their first two games, he's scored 49 points, dished out 16 assists and collected 15 rebounds while also being a stout defender. Deron Williams is the better, flashier point guard, but Lowry has proven over the past couple seasons that he can be an effective starter and on-court leader and shall provide Williams good competition throughout the Brooklyn-Toronto matchups this year.

- Center Brook Lopez led the Nets in scoring with 27 points. However, he grabbed a mere five rebounds. After looking impressive on the glass in the preseason, Nets fans should hope that he doesn't revert back to his rebounding efficiency -- or lack thereof -- of the past two seasons.

- In only 16 minutes of play, Nets big man Reggie Evans grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. Not one player on either team corralled more than ten rebounds in tonight's contest except Evans.

- After accomplishing a double-double in his first NBA game, Raptors rookie center Jonas Valanciunas struggled against the Nets, scoring two points and collecting three rebounds in a brief dozen minutes of play.

- The Nets dominated the Raptors in scoring in the paint 52-34.

- Nets guard/forward Joe Johnson, a six-time All Star, had a modest stat line in his Nets debut, scoring 14 points, grabbing five rebounds, distributing four assists and getting one steal in a team-high 40 minutes of play.

- After recently signing a 4 year/$40 million contract extension to stay with the Raptors after this season, guard DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points at the Nets' new home. Toronto General Manager Bryan Colangelo has been widely criticized after re-signing DeRozan, but Raptors fans hope that he can prove doubters wrong and consistently produce exceptional scoring numbers.

- Point guard C.J. Watson provided the Nets with a huge spark off the bench by scoring 15 points. He connected on three of his four three-point attempts. Watson also contributed heavily on the defensive side of the ball, getting one steal and two blocks in 28 minutes of play. He and star point guard Deron Williams showed exciting chemistry while on the court together.

- Nets forward Gerald Wallace suffered an apparent ankle injury late in the fourth quarter. The X-rays were reported to be negative and he is listed as day-to-day. His status for Monday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves is unknown.

      The Nets opened the season with a bang, starting their re-branding in Brooklyn with a symbolic victory. The Raptors endured for most of the game, but couldn't hold up in what would turn out to be their second consecutive loss. The Nets are 1-0 on the season and the Raptors are 0-2. Both teams' next games will be against Minnesota.

Have a question or comment about the Brooklyn Nets? Send me some feedback in the comments section below or shoot me a tweet on Twitter @TheSkiReport.

Knicks vs. Nets Season Opener Officially Cancelled

The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, previously known as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel,
is still flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

      On November 1, the Barclays Center will be empty. Last year, the Nets were accustomed to seeing small crowds at home at the Prudential Center in Newark during their last season in New Jersey. However, bad play is not the reason why people won't be in attendance on Thursday. The NBA has decided to postpone the Brooklyn Nets' scheduled home-opener against the New York Knicks at the request of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In a phone interview on Sportscenter earlier today, Nets guard Deron Williams expressed his disappointment that his team would be unable to play against the inner-city rival Knicks, but also addressed the situation at hand. He noted that his house is still without power and that teammate Tyshawn Taylor, a rookie guard raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, is still trapped in his house with family because of high flood levels. This will strike as a disappointment for most New York City basketball fans, but Williams is right, there are other huge dilemmas that need to be taken care of primarily.

      As a resident of New Jersey, I was able to experience the storm that maybe some of the readers didn't. The damage is truly unlike any other storm I've ever been a witness to. My favorite boardwalk in Seaside Heights, notoriously known as the place where MTV's "Jersey Shore" is filmed, is severely damaged. Most boardwalks that stretch from Long Island, New York to Cape May, New Jersey have suffered incredible damage. Atlantic City, New Jersey, known for its casinos and energetic nightlife, is practically underwater. Over two million people in New Jersey lost power at some point during the past 48 hours. I was one of the few lucky ones who didn't lose power. Most of my friends and family who live in different areas of New Jersey have lost power for days and for some, weeks. Transformers have exploded, trees have fallen, power lines have snapped and even been the causes of fires. The water is yet to recede in many locations and people are lining up at gas stations for hours because of the damage Hurricane Sandy instilled and left during Monday and Tuesday. It has been a tough past week for much of the East Coast and I wanted to explain the severity of the storm so people would have an idea of how bad it has really shaken up things in this portion of the country. There have also been several reported casualties in New Jersey, so this storm has proven to be fatal. Sandy is now weakened and classified as a tropical depression, but it has wreaked havoc and most of the damage is probably done. Here's to hoping that the families who suffered losses of lives and possessions and the places that have endured through Sandy will come back stronger than ever in the near future.