Atlantic Notes: Nets, Johnson, Boucher, Yabusele, Embiid

In simply two years, networks He went from being a playoff contender with Kevin DurantTo be one of many league’s rebuilding groups, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. When Durant was the Nets, Oklahoma Metropolis, Houston and Orlando have been among the many groups with the worst information, all of that are groups excessive up of their respective convention. It is a testomony to how shortly the league can transfer, Lewis writes, that these younger contenders can function a blueprint and encourage confidence to rebuild Brooklyn.

“Sure, we are going to return to that time” Nick Claxton He mentioned. “I do not like to consider the previous. You develop from it, you study from it, however you wish to be within the current and proceed to develop within the group that we’ve now.“

Claxton solely Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas and Dayron Sharp Remnants of the Durant period. The Nets have made a concerted effort to get youthful and commerce away Michael Bridges In the course of the summer season and transfer Dennis Schroeder and Dorian Finney Smith For capital undertaking. Brooklyn seems to be evaluating all of its younger gamers at present on the roster with an eye fixed towards the 2025 draft for enchancment.

“To be trustworthy, you continue to must be a bit fortunate. Everyone knows that,“Normal Supervisor Sean Marks He mentioned. “The recent subject has all the time been the draft. Everyone knows we nonetheless must be fortunate. On the finish of the day, ping pong balls are going to fall a sure approach. … (And) it is well being, proper? It does not matter what staff you might have, you possibly can have the most effective gamers on the earth, they usually have to remain wholesome. And it’s important to be wholesome on the proper time. We lived it. Some issues you possibly can management, some you possibly can’t.“

Our extra from the Atlantic part:

• Cameron Johnson He hasn’t performed in every week after spraining his ankle, however he is a head coach Jordi Fernandez He prompt he believes Johnson will not be out for much longer and will return throughout the staff’s present six-game stretch, Bridget Riley of the New York Post wrote. The Nets are being affected person with Johnson, who has been one of many staff’s vivid spots as he averaged 19.5 factors whereas capturing 43.6% from deep. Johnson’s identify has appeared repeatedly in commerce rumors this 12 months.
• Many groups have Raptors ahead Chris Boucher On their radar earlier than the commerce deadline, SNY’s Ian Begley reports. Some inside the Nuggets group particularly admire him, Begley writes. Boucher entered Thursday averaging 9.9 factors and 4.7 rebounds, however he performed simply 9 minutes mixed in his final two video games on Thursday. He solely seems in 17.1 minutes per recreation on the season. Nevertheless, he acquired first-quarter minutes on Thursday and scored 23 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds.
• Gershon YabusiliHis power and energy made him an ideal match for Sixers, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Whereas it hasn’t been an ideal season for Philadelphia, Yabosele continues to be a vivid spot as he averages 10.1 factors and 5.3 rebounds after not being within the league for the reason that 2018/19 season.
• As a part of damage administration measures, the Sixers star Joel Embiid He has not performed in back-to-back video games this season, one thing the Sixers are aiming to vary within the close to future. Pompey writes in another story. Embiid beforehand said that he might not play in back-to-back video games for the remainder of his profession, one thing he later backtracked on.