In the loss Nets’ backup guard Sean Kilpatrick led Nets players with 15 points

Today, the brunch-time crowd came into the Barclays Center to see the Brooklyn Nets take on the New Orleans Pelicans at 1:00 p.m. Since the Pelicans were without star forward Anthony Davis, it seemed like this would be a game that the Nets could add in the win column. Unfortunately, the Nets lost to the Pelicans 106-87.

Now, hold on Sparky, before you start yelling and screaming, the Nets were without Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young, Nets head coach Tony Brown in his pre-game press conference told the assembled media that he was going to sit Lopez and Young for the rest of the season. The stated reason for pulling these players was to give them rest for next season and to prevent unnecessary injuries. Now, the conspiracy theorist in me says that yeah, I get your point, but rumors of trading Young before the February 2016 trade deadline makes me just a little skeptical. Now, the rational side says these are good players to build around and with a good head coach and the already A-Team general manager in Sean Marks, the Nets should be making some noise next season. So why take the risk, if you don’t have to do it? However, stranger things have happened, so I am in wait and see mode until the next season starts.  

As for the actual game against the Pelicans, Nets reserve guard Sean Kilpatrick, continues to wow the crowd. When his named was announced to substitute for Wayne Ellington with 4:36 left in the first quarter, the crowd at the BC applauded and chanted his name wildly. I think I was sitting next to Kilpatrick’s No.1 fans. Kilpatrick didn’t disappoint. Off the bench, Kilpatrick led all Nets scorers with 15 points; his off-the-bench teammate, Markel Brown added 12 points, as did starting center Henry Sims, a pickup from the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League on March 17. Sims whose last NBA team was the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 NBA season also had seven boards. Other Nets starters in double digits were Thomas Robinson with 11 points and 15 rebounds, and Ellington chipped in 10 points.

As for the Pelicans starting squad, Luke Babbitt led all scorers with 21 points; Dante Cunningham had 14 points, and Jordan Hamilton came up with a double-double, 13 points, and 11 rebounds. Pelicans’ reserves weren’t slouches. Tim Frazier came off the bench and added a stellar double-double performance of his own, 19 points and 13 assists. Alexis Ajinca put up 16 points and six rebounds, and James Ennis chipped in 14 points.

Without Lopez and Young, I don’t expect any wins for the Brooklyn Nets for the rest of the season. Next up on the docket for the Nets are:

4/6: DC Wizards in Washington, DC
4/8: Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte
4/10: Indiana Pacers in Indiana
4/11: DC Wizards at home in Brooklyn
4/13: Toronto Raptors at home in Brooklyn

Photo: Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick puts up a valiant effort in attempting to pass the ball past New Orleans Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins (5), but to no avail. Nets lose to Pelicans 106-87

Nets struggled on both ends, but to their credit, held Cavs to 91 points

On Monday night, at primetime, the Golden State Warriors handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their worst home loss of the season, 132-98. Unfortunately for the Brooklyn Nets, the Cavs were their next opponent. It was fun for Brooklyn and all of the fans in attendance who paid to see the stars that Cleveland has to offer, but not for the home team expected to defend their home-court.

From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Cavs came to Barclays Center on Wednesday night and handled their business, beating the Nets, 91-78. It was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Eastern Conference leaders and while the Nets were within striking distance for the majority of the first half, the Cavs made their statement late in the third and never looked back. After Thomas Robinson’s layup cut the Cavs lead to 10, 63-53 with 4:41 left in the 3rd, Cavs reserve Matthew Dellavedova answered with a two of his own. Moments later, LeBron James added a three with three minutes and a half left in the third.

Dellavedova’s jumper kick-started a 10-2 run, increasing what was a harmless 10-point lead to an 18-point uphill climb for the Nets. To begin the 4th, the only Cavs starter in the game was J.R. Smith. For Lebron, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, their night was over. After scoring just three points against the Warriors, Love found his footing and rebounded in a big way.

He scored 17 points like Lebron and also grabbed 18 boards for the second time this season.

“I was just happy with Kevin going out there with a great mindset and getting back to his normal self,” Cavs head coach David Blatt said regarding Love’s bounce-back game. “Those are the kind of games he’s been giving us since the beginning of the year and for me, that is normal Kevin Love.”

He also assisted Lebron on his first two points of the game; a breakaway tomahawk slam. And the highlight play was the result of the vexing Cavs defense the Nets dealt with all night long. The Cavs scored 16 fast-break points and 19 off of turnovers they caused.

“Well, Coach has been pushing us about pushing the tempo, pushing our pace, getting up the floor, and I think we did that tonight,” Lebron said who also had five assists, just under his regular season average of six.

From the start, you could sense the urgency from the opposing team who looked like they were out to prove something and it would be difficult not crediting Golden State’s loss as inspiration.

“I’m sure it had something to do with it, but mostly it had to do with our guys reaching down and recognizing we had to get back on track right away,” said Blatt post-game. “It’s painful to get knocked down but it’s shameful to not get back up if you get knocked down. To the guys’ credit, they got back up and played a terrific basketball game.”

The Nets wish they could say the same. They only allowed 91 points to clearly the best team in the Eastern Conference but the offense wasn’t there.

Outside of Brook Lopez’s 16 points, Thaddeus Young chipped in 14 and Donald Sloan added 12 and nine assists. Wednesday’s loss signaled the Nets fourth straight and interim Head Coach Tony Brown continues to look for answers.

“I didn’t think it was our best effort since I have taken over,” Brown said post-game. “I don’t know if it was just because it was Cleveland, I don’t know, but clearly we can do better on both ends of the floor.”

If playing the best team in the Eastern Conference doesn’t rev you up to play, then what will?

Since Lionel Hollins was dismissed as the Brooklyn Nets head coach, the Nets have shown fight but against the Cavs they did not put forth the kind of effort they displayed against the Toronto Raptors, their previous game. As the offense went, the Nets went and the inability to get a rhythm going in the first half sealed the Nets fate for the remainder of the game.

After Cleveland, the road gets tougher. The Nets will host the Utah Jazz on Friday night who are fresh off of a tough OT loss to the New York Knicks and will then welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat. Nets’ fans expect wins, but more than wins, they expect a fight. It’s up to the Nets to decide whether that will be the norm going forward no matter how rough their season continues to be.

Despite Nets’ loss to Trailblazers, Donald Sloan and Thomas Robinson injected much-needed energy

On Wednesday night, the Brooklyn Nets caught a break when Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony didn’t suit up. They took advantage of the Knicks lacking their star player and defeated their surging rivals, 110-104, their second game since general manager Billy King and head coach Lionel Hollins were relieved of their duties. On Friday night against the Portland Trailblazers, the Nets weren’t afforded the same luck.

Damian Lillard, a star in his own right, suited up and showed the Nets exactly how a star manages his game. Lillard poured in a game-high 33 points, with 10 assists leading the Blazers to an 116-104 win over the lowly Nets. Lillard scored throughout the game but did most of his best work when it counted the most.

In the 4th quarter, Lillard scored more points than he scored in any other quarter with 14 points and made big plays down the stretch that inevitably sealed the Nets to their fate. With just under eight minutes left in the 4th, Lillard drained a jump shot that cut, what was a brief four-point Nets lead, 92-88 to 92-90. Minutes later, Lillard hit a three to give the Blazers a one-point, 93-92 advantage with a little over seven minutes left till the end of regulation.

“I’m just in one of those grooves where the game is just in flow,” Lillard said. “I just feel good out there and the way we’re playing as a team only makes it easier.”

Lillard’s three would spark a 10-2 Blazers run over the next three minutes featuring five points by Lillard and a three by Allen Crabbe who finished with 19 points. The Blazers laid down the ground work to coast till the buzzer sounded and once again, the Nets tasted defeat. Under interim head coach Tony Brown, the Nets have played inspiring basketball, so far, and tonight was no different.

The Nets competed and were in this game. They gave themselves an opportunity to win but like the majority of their games this year, late game execution, whether it’s defending or scoring, continues to be the Nets biggest issue.

“Down the stretch, we just struggled defending.” Brown said post-game.

And the evidence is proven by the Blazers shooting 42 percent from three (15-35) and 50 percent from the field (47-93).

The Nets actually shot the same percentage from deep but only made eight threes and from the field, the Nets shot 44 percent. On a night where every starter for the Nets reached double-figures including two bench players, the Nets still came up short. Brook Lopez led all Nets players with 25 points and seven rebounds and Joe Johnson scored 15 points with four assists. The most encouraging performances came from Thomas Robinson and Donald Sloan.

Robinson gave the Nets the much-needed energy and fire the team lacked. He made the hustle plays on the boards and had some great moments, especially early in the fourth when Robinson scored five straight points which put the Nets up by four, 90-86, forcing a Blazers timeout with 9:18 left in the 4th.

“Thomas Robinson had a wonderful night,” Brown said. “His energy really helped us get back in the ballgame.”

Sloan on the other hand, gave the Nets great play from the lead guard position. The former Aggie almost posted a triple-double, 15 points, nine rebounds and nine assists and seemed to be the answer as the Nets starter going forward opposed to Shane Larkin who struggled all night long, finishing with two points.

There are a lot of things the Nets need after losing their G.M. and head coach all in the same week and recent reports state that the Nets are looking to fill the void. The Nets are linked to Bryan Colangelo and coach, Tom Thibodeau, known for running his players into the ground. In Thib, the Nets will have one of the best coaches in the NBA. They would have an identity, and that’s something worth investing in.

Nets earn a 4th straight home victory with a 94-91 win over the Suns

In another close victory at home, Tuesday night, the Brooklyn Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 94-91 for their fourth consecutive home victory.

In an unusual scheduling, thus far, the Nets have played just seven home games, but will play a combined 20 times at home in December and January, the most in the NBA.

Brook Lopez was a force down low, finishing with 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Lopez also added six rebounds. Three other players scored in double digits, ironically, scoring 11 points each. Jarrett Jack, the only other starter in double digits totaled 11 points and eight assists; Wayne Ellington and Shane Larkin both came off the bench scoring 11 points each, and Larkin, like Jack, added eight assists.

It was a solid first half for the Nets. They led by nine at half, and shot 56 percent and scored 36 points in the paint.

The third quarter is proving to be the Nets Achilles heel. In the third quarter, Brandon Knight led the Suns on a 16-2 run giving the Suns a 62-56 advantage. Eric Bledsoe beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to send Phoenix into the fourth with a 73-70 lead.

Larkin broke an 85-all tie with a drive to the basket with 4:08 left, Ellington added a layup in transition and Lopez made a free throw for a 90-85 advantage. Phoenix’s Alex Len missed from close range with the Suns down three, and after they got the ball back a final time, it was no cigar! Phoenix couldn't even get a shot off after inbounding in the frontcourt.

These two teams battled it out to the end.

“I’ll take the win,” stated Lionel Hollins, Brooklyn Nets Head Coach.

As for the current winning streak at home, can the Nets keep the winning streak alive?

"We're just starting to put some things together," Jack said.

"Win a bunch of those games, just keep playing hard, take it one game at a time and just see what we can do," Larkin added.

And, although Bojan Bogdanovic and Thomas Robinson didn’t score in double digits, every point counts. Bogdanovic turned in a 3-for-5 performance with seven rebounds and Robinson chipped in six points and three rebounds.

What’s next?

The Nets are back on the road. They will cross the river to play the New York Knicks on Friday and back home on Sunday to challenge the Golden State Warriors.

At the start of the 2015-16 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets are a team of questions

In Lionel Hollins’ first year as the Brooklyn Nets Head Coach, the team handled their business. Despite winning only 38 games, it was enough for the Nets to slip into the playoffs, but that says more about the state of the Eastern Conference than it does about Lionel’s squad. Deron Williams was consistently in-and-out of the lineup throughout the entire season due to injuries. Brook Lopez played well towards the end and Thaddeus Young was added to the mix-mid-season-to propel the Nets into the playoffs and it worked.

For this upcoming season, the Nets won’t have to worry about D-Wills health as the $100 million-dollar-man left for the Dallas Mavericks, his hometown. Instead, Jarrett Jack will most likely obtain the starting job duties, which is a job he knows all too well. Other than starting for the Portland Trailblazers, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors during his 10-year career, Jack, started 27 games for the Nets last season, averaging 15.9 points and 6.5 assists. The challenge and question for Jack are, can he produce or contribute more over the course of 82 games?

After Jack, Donald Sloan, and Shane Larkin will also compete for the starting job. At Nets media day last month, Hollins did state that there will be an open competition for the starting PG position so there is hope for Larkin and Sloan, even if Jack is the favorite. Sloan, a four-year NBA veteran is a steady point guard who can score off the bench and Larkin is looking to redeem himself after a disappointing season with the New York Knicks last year. Larkin struggled with the “Triangle Offense,” implemented by Knicks president, Phil Jackson and head coach, Derek Fisher and in Brooklyn, believes he will be better, playing in a pick-and-roll system.

Brooklyn Nets guard Shane Larkin

“I’m more of a pick-and-roll guy, up and down,” Larkin told ESPN. “And that’s the thing they told me they wanted me to come in and do. For them to tell me they wanted me to come in push the tempo, bring some energy to the team that was everything I wanted to hear.”

With familiarity and less pressure to conform to the triangle, Larkin should be a boost off the Nets bench, giving them a PG who can lead the break and use his speed to get to the cup and make plays for others.

As for the rest of the starting lineup, Joe Johnson is still there and will be asked to do what he’s been doing forever, which is score. Thaddeus Young re-signed with the Nets following the success he had with the team last season and Brook Lopez will now be the face of the franchise in Deron’s departure. With the addition of Young, the Nets went 17-13 in their remaining 30 games, giving the Nets another weapon while forming a formidable frontcourt with Lopez. In Young, the Nets have a versatile forward who can guard one through four and gives the Nets the opportunity to play small ball due to his versatility. While Young’s spot seems to be solidified as a starter, Hollins has a decision to make at the shooting guard position. I can see Johnson being moved to the three, but at the two, Hollins will have to choose from either Bojan Bogdanovic or Markel Brown.

While Bojan profiles as more of a shooter and scorer, Brown is an athletic perimeter defender who can get to rim, but he needs to improve his outside shooting. What could be a deciding factor is the fact that Bojan was inconsistent last season with his scoring. Bojan is the same player that would score 18 points on 7-12 shooting in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in March, and two days later, score only two points in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s what exactly might land Bojan on the bench and lift Brown into the starting lineup. Brown has a motor and continues to grow on the offensive end, and he is only 23 years-old. For the reserves, there are plenty of new faces for Hollins to choose from. Thomas Robinson, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, will try to revive his career in Brooklyn. This is Robinson’s fifth team in three years. When healthy, Andrea Bargnani is a stretch four who can play center and drain three’s, bringing big men out of the paint for the guards. Wayne Ellington is another long-distance threat and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough represent the Nets 2015 NBA draft selections.

Unfortunately, McCullough will sit out the majority of the season, potentially the entire year due to a torn ACL. The Bronx native suffered the ACL injury last year at Syracuse University.
“Basically, this is a ‘redshirt year’ and secondly, somebody said it, he’s like our lottery pick for next year and I agree with that,” Hollins said at Nets Media day last month. “He’s a guy that is definitely part of the future, so hopefully, we can get him back early so he can get a lot of work in and then go through the summer and Summer League.”

As for Rondae, the former Arizona Wildcat is ready. Rondae is an athletic wing who I believe will prove to be very useful for the Nets. At 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, Rondae has a chance to be a Hollins favorite with his defensive skills on the perimeter along with an offensive game that highlights finishing at the rim with authority. Rondae won’t be mistaken for Reggie Miller anytime soon but according to Roderick Boone of Newsday, the rookie forward has been working on his lefty jumper after practice, hoisting up to 400 shots.

“There's things you have to do and you've got to put this work into get what you want out of basketball,” Hollis-Jefferson told Newsday. “So I feel like me coming in here and shooting is something I must do, I have to do, to be where I want to be.”

And there’s your 2015-16 Brooklyn Nets.

On paper, it’s a solid group that won’t have to deal with the Deron clouds. It’s a group that has some youth, and it is a group that has NBA talent. With age being a strength of this Nets team, there is an opportunity to run. Larkin, Sloan, Rondae and Brown will spearhead that attack for top plays on ESPN, hoping to improve a team that was among the worst in the league last season in fast-break points with only nine points a game. Despite the improvements that the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and even dare I say the New York Knicks have made, there is an opportunity for the Nets to qualify for the 2016 playoffs, but a couple of things have to go right.

Jack has to have an All-Star caliber year and in the 15 and six he averaged as a starter last year for the Nets, 18 and seven should do the trick. Johnson has to continue to be a consistent source for points, especially in critical situations and Lopez has to dominate in the low-post like he did in stretches last season. And of course, health is key. Say what you want about Deron, but the former cornerstone of the franchise gave the Nets a public punching bag and someone to point the finger at when things went sour. There is no punching bag this year; only mirrors to look into. And if the Nets are competing for the lottery this season, they will only have themselves to blame.

Prediction: 37-45, Miss the Playoffs, 9th seed

VIDEO Discussion: All agree Devon Still ESPY speech most inspirational; Dez Bryant hits the jackpot; Brooklyn Nets making moves; NY Knicks look promising

In this episode of What's The 411Sports, the panel of hosts Glenn Gilliam and Gregory Alcala, and correspondents Naomi Grey and Jason Schott are discussing Caitlyn Jenner's and Devon Still's speeches at the Espy Award; Dez Bryant's contract with the Dallas Cowboys; updates on the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, the New York Liberty; and the WNBA All-Star Game

VIDEO: Nets: Jefferson waived; Sign Bargnani; and Robinson underwent successful surgery; Knicks Summer League: topple Jahlil Okafor and 76ers; and Porzingis Adjusting 

On Monday, July 13, the Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King requested waivers on forward Cory Jefferson.

Then on Wednesday, July 15, Brooklyn Nets Forward and newcomer, Thomas Robinson, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage from his right knee today at The Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The surgery was performed by Nets’ Medical Director Dr. Riley Williams III.

Robinson, who was injured on Tuesday while working out in New York City, will begin rehab immediately and will be ready for on-court activities before the start of Brooklyn Nets Training Camp.

Lastly, on Friday, July 17, the Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King Announced that the Nets have signed Forward/Center Andrea Bargnani.

“Andrea will give us the ability to space the floor and complement our other front court players,” said King. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Meanwhile across the river, the New York Knicks battled to topple Jahlil Okafor and the 76ers, 84-81, to remain undefeated (3-0) in an overtime thriller in NBA Summer League action.