brooklenns-own

Brooklyn Nets

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn speaks with the media before Brooklyn’s game against the LA Clippers on Jan. 21, 2024.

jacque-vaughn-pregame-vs-clippers-3

Jacque Vaughn: Pregame vs. Clippers

If Tim Walsh had his druthers, this story would have ended on Wednesday, February 4th, the day Brooklyn Nets advance scout Jim Sann was discharged from the hospital and returned home to his two children.

But earlier this week, Walsh was named the recipient of the 2014-15 Joe O'Toole Athletic Trainer of the Year for the second straight season. His assistants, Lloyd Beckett and Alessandro Oliveira, were named assistant trainers of the year.

So the story did not end that day, somewhat to the chagrin of Walsh, the Nets humble, veteran trainer, who prefers to do his job without attention and fanfare. Walsh, along with Beckett, Oliveira and team massage therapist John Rink, resuscitated Sann, 46, after he suffered a heart attack and collapsed at the Nets practice facility on February 1st. He had no pulse when the training staff reached Sann.

“I’m grateful that these guys knew exactly what to do, and were able to do it so quickly that there was no long-term damage,” Sann told the New York Post. “That was because those guys knew exactly what to do, they each had their responsibilities, and they did it really fast.

“People sometimes use the phrase ‘You saved my life’ pretty loosely sometimes, but those guys saved my life, because of how good they were. … I don’t know if they want me to be saying that or not, they’re pretty low-key guys, but the truth of the matter is I owe them everything.”

Walsh has now won this prestigious award three times. One of the criteria for winning is to have performed life-saving treatment in the course of his work. Walsh, who just completed his 16th season with the Nets, declines to discuss the other two lives he's saved on the job. To him they are private matters. To his fellow trainers, Walsh is one of the best of the best.

"There is no greater honor than to be recognized by your peers, so I take a great deal of pride in this award,'' Walsh told BrooklynNets.com. "But even more importantly, my two assistants, Lloyd and Ale, were also recognized for their contributions during the season.

"We had some very challenging situations this past year, and I am very proud that the work of my staff was duly noted by our fellow athletic trainers.''

'Challenging situations,' is an understatement. It was Walsh, working closely with team physician Dr. Michael Farber, who insisted that Mirza Teletovic return to the hospital in Los Angeles in late January for an additional CT scan, which found blood clots on the forward's lungs.

Teletovic had complained of shortness of breath. A routine exam found no irregularities. But when Teletovic had trouble breathing on the walk from the hospital back to the team hotel, Walsh and Farber weren't taking any chances. Had they not sent the 29-year-old forward for the additional scan, and the clots had gone undetected, Teletovic could have died. Instead, he was back on the court for the team's playoff series.

And then there were the 'normal' day-to-day challenges that trainers face:

Helping center Brook Lopez, who underwent two surgeries last summer - one on his right foot, the other on his left ankle - return to his All-Star level of play.

Getting point guard Deron Williams back on the court after he suffered a fractured rib cartilage.

Currently Walsh, along with Beckett and Oliveira, who completed their first season in Brooklyn, are working hard to help Sergey Karasev rehab from a serious knee injury that required surgery in mid March.

Those are the duties that come to mind when most of us consider the role of team trainers. In the Nets' case, their training staff also is in the business of saving lives.

nets-training-staff-led-by-veteran-tim-walsh-earns-prestigious-recognition

Nets Training Staff, Led by Veteran Tim Walsh, Earns Prestigious Recognition

BROOKLYN – The Brooklyn Nets went into their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks as prohibitive underdogs.

They were the No.8 seed, having qualified for the playoffs on the final night of the regular season. The Hawks, owners of the best regular-season record in the East, were the No.1 seed.

Yet after four games, the series was tied 2-2 and Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer stated his team was facing a challenge from Brooklyn.

Even after Atlanta won Game 5, putting the Nets on the brink of elimination, there was no thought of the season ending on Friday night in Barclays Center. In fact, the Nets were confident they’d be returning to Atlanta for a decisive Game 7.

“This has been a thrilling series,’’ Coach Lionel Hollins said on Thursday. “And if we hold serve at home and extend it to a seventh game, anything can happen.”

Unfortunately the Nets will never know if the favored Hawks would have wilted under the pressure of a Game 7. Atlanta played its best game of the series and ended the Nets’ season with a 111-87 victory.

The Hawks used a 23-3 run at the start of the third quarter to take control of the game. Thaddeus Young gave the Nets their only lead of the game at 2-0.

The Nets, who got younger and more athletic this season, have a lot to look forward to after making this a riveting series.

“I commend them,’’ Hollins said the Hawks. “They have a very, very, very good team and I’m proud of how we battled and took them to a six-game series.’’

KEY STRETCH: The first quarter: The team that has won the first quarter won every game in the series. Atlanta jumped out to a 36-23 lead. The 36 points were the most the Nets have allowed in the first quarter. The Hawks did it on 72-percent shooting. Before the game, Hollins said falling behind early by a significant margin was not desirable. He was right. The Nets were fighting an uphill battle all night.

KEY STRETCH II: After closing to within 51-45 at halftime. The Hawks opened the second half on an 8-0 run. It was déjà vu. After falling behind by 13 in the first quarter, the Nets fell behind by 14 in the second. And the Hawks weren’t done. They broke open the game with a 23-3 surge to take a 74-48 lead.

KEY PLAY: After Joe Johnson hit a jumper to make it 51-45, the Nets forced the Hawks into a turnover. A mere seven-tenths of a second were left on the game clock, but it was enough time for Johnson to get off a 35-foot three-pointer. The shot almost dropped. Johnson hopped in disappointment. Had it gone in, the Nets would have trailed by three at halftime and that might have changed the team’s energy entering the second half.

NETS GAINS: Brook Lopez proved throughout the series that he is one of the game’s elite centers. Lopez finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. He averaged 19.8 points and nine rebounds.

KEY STAT: Hawks point guard Jeff Teague didn’t score a point in 23 minutes and 30 seconds, but he had 13 assists and one turnover.

TALK: “I’m proud of our team, where we started back in September, the uncertainty, new coach, trying to blend it all together,’’ Hollins said. “Then injuries, and up and downs."

“I’m thankful for the players and what they gave and proud of how they stuck with it and stayed with it and we were able to secure a playoff spot. People would say, ‘Hey, we didn’t deserve it.’ But that’s their problem."

“I think we battled and fought and overcame, even in this series, we battled and fought and it would have been nice to get another victory and have a chance to go to a seventh game. It wasn’t to be.’’

nets-proud-of-pushing-hawks-in-six-game-series-but-disappointed-in-being-eliminated

Nets Proud of Pushing Hawks in Six-Game Series But Disappointed in Being Eliminated

bkndsapp

BROOKLYN – The NBA Playoffs came to Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon and the Atlanta Hawks’ worst fears were realized.

The playoff-experienced Nets know how to play at this time of the year. They know the Hawks, despite their 60-22 regular-season record, coasted down the stretch, losing five of their last 10, including their last three. The Nets surged into the playoffs at the 11th hour.

Although Atlanta got the No.1 seed and Brooklyn got the No. 8 seed, the Nets never doubted they could play with the Hawks. Now the Nets know they can beat the Hawks.

The Nets used a pulverizing 18-0 run from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth quarter, to take Game 3, 91-83, in Barclays Center.

Now the Hawks face their worst fears: Their 60-win regular season might have been nothing more than impressive window dressing.

“I think from the beginning they’ve been a confident team,’’ Atlanta Hawks Coach Mike Budenholzer said of the Nets. “It’s going to be a series."

It is a series. Game 4 is Monday night in Barclays Center and there are a limited number of tickets available.

The Nets are the team gaining momentum. After losing Game 1, 99-92, they had a chance to force overtime in Game 2, but came up short, 96-91.

“I don’t know what’s going through their head, but they’ve kind of felt our presence throughout the whole series,’’ said forward Thaddeus. Young.

KEY STRETCH: After the Hawks rallied to take their first lead since the early minutes at 62-58, the Nets responded with an 18-0 surge to take a 76-62 lead early in the fourth. Thaddeus Young started it with three straight baskets but Joe Johnson made the two dagger plays. He hit a corner 3 early in the run and then willed his way in for a layup and was fouled. Johnson converted the three-point play for a 70-62 lead.

KEY PLAY: After the Nets used that 18-0 run to take a 76-62 lead, the Hawks got to within 76-68. It was 78-69 Brooklyn when Jarrett Jack drained a three pointer from the top of the key to push the lead back to 12.

NETS GAINS: After scoring two points on 1-of-7 shooting in the Nets 96-91 loss to the Hawks in Game 2 in Atlanta, Thaddeus Young apologized to his teammates. Young more than atoned for his play by scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. When the Nets went on their 18-0 run, he scored the team’s first six points. The name Thaddeus means heart.

KEY STAT: After Paul Millsap put in a layup with 4:09 left in the third quarter, the Nets defense held the Hawks without a field goal until 7:45 remained in the fourth. That’s eight minutes and 24 seconds without a basket.

KEY STAT II: Getting double-doubles from Brook Lopez (22 points; 13 rebounds), Joe Johnson (16 points; 10 rebounds) and Young (18 points; 11 rebounds), the Nets outscored the Hawks 50-30 in the paint.

TALK: Thaddeus Young was asked about the Nets’ 18-0 run that turned the game.

“This is a big boys' game. You have to be able to withstand runs and make your presence felt on the court. You have to impose your will on the game the whole time. We did a good job of just imposing our will on the game."

nets-make-it-a-series-after-a-91-83-game-3-win-over-the-hawks

Nets Make It a Series After a 91-83 Game 3 Win Over the Hawks

EAST RUTHERFORD – It’s time for the Brooklyn Nets to hold serve. And that’s exactly what they intend to do.

After losing the first two games of their Eastern Conference playoff series in Atlanta, the Nets get the Hawks in Brooklyn and they’re hoping some Northern hospitality will help in Game 3.

It was Joe Johnson who noted earlier in the week that since the Nets began their playoff push, the fans in Barclays Center have been outstanding. The Nets won five straight and 7-of-9 at home down the stretch.

Johnson specifically recalled the support the Nets received on April 8th, when the Hawks edged the Nets 114-111. On Friday, Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young said a home crowd could definitely have a positive impact.

“I love playing in that atmosphere," Lopez said referring to the April 8th game. “It’s a lot of fun to be in. It’s what you dream of when you grow up."

There should be plenty of playoff atmosphere on Saturday afternoon (3 p.m.; YES) in Barclays Center when the Nets and Hawks meet in Game 3. A limited number of tickets remain.

After losing the four regular-season games to the Hawks by an average of 17 points, the Nets have lost the first two playoff games by a an average of six points.

“Definitely," Young said. “Me being in the playoffs several times, it definitely helps. You have the hometown crowd on your side and you’re with your teammates. And just the energy and the atmosphere is flowing your way when you’re in your home building. You want that on your side. You want that energy. And you want that excitement."

nets-believe-the-barclays-center-crowd-will-provide-a-home-court-advantage

Nets Believe the Barclays Center Crowd Will Provide a Home Court Advantage

ATLANTA – Forget the adjustments. Forget the experts' predictions that the Brooklyn Nets had no chance against the Atlanta Hawks. Forget what happened in the regular season.

The Brooklyn Nets know exactly who and what the Atlanta Hawks are. They know exactly what they have to do to beat the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference.

So, on Saturday afternoon in Barclays Center, the Nets have to produce in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference playoffs series.

The Nets lost Game 2, 96-91, on Wednesday night in Philips Arena, missing a shot with 10 seconds left that would have tied it.

The Nets made several adjustments after their 99-92 loss in Game 1, adjustments that worked.

Brook Lopez got more shots and finished 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting and seven rebounds. He had just seven shots in Game 1.

But the Nets didn’t take good enough care of the ball and they didn’t defend the three-point shot well enough. It was the same story in Game 1.

There’s no question the Nets can play with the Hawks. Saturday afternoon Brooklyn needs to beat Atlanta and make the Hawks sweat.

“I thought our team played well,’’ said Nets Coach Lionel Hollins. “The Atlanta Hawks won 60-plus games and they’re a good team. We had our chances here. Now it’s time to go home and hold serve at our place.’’

A limited number of tickets are available for Game 3. The experts didn’t give the Nets much of a chance in this series after the Hawks swept them by an average of 17 points.

The two playoff games have been decided by an average of six points. The Nets know what they have to do. And they know they can do it. So do the Hawks.

“I think we feel fortunate we made just enough plays, just enough stops,’’ said Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer.

KEY STRETCH: The Nets trailed 88-79 with just under five minutes remaining when they went on a 10-2 run to get within one point of the Hawks, at 90-89. Joe Johnson and Jarrett Jack made back-to-back threes to fuel the run.

KEY PLAY: Trailing 93-91 with 27.3 seconds left, the Nets had exactly what they wanted- a chance to gain a split in Atlanta. The Nets ran a great side-out play with Deron Williams inbounding to Joe Johnson who drew double coverage. Johnson found Williams open in the left corner. Williams pumped fake Kent Bazemore and got a wide-open midrange baseline jumper with 10 seconds left. It didn’t drop.

NETS GAINS: Jarrett Jack led a tremendous Nets effort off the bench. He had a game-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting. The Nets bench outscored the Hawks, 40-28.

KEY STAT I: The Hawks made 12-of-31 3’s. The Nets made 6-of-19. That’s a 36-18 point differential.

KEY STAT II – After committing 17 turnovers that led to 24 Atlanta points in Game 1, the Nets knew they had to take better care of the ball. It didn’t happen. The Nets committed 16 turnovers that led to 19 Atlanta points. The Hawks committed nine turnovers that led to 14 Brooklyn points. That’s a five-point differential.

TALK: “Our effort was outstanding,’’ said Hollins. “We made great hustle plays. We took away a lot of stuff they’ve been hurting us with all year long.’’

nets-battle-hawks-to-the-wire-in-a-96-91-loss-in-game-2-of-the-eastern-conference-playoffs

Nets Battle Hawks to the Wire in a 96-91 Loss in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs

ATLANTA – The miscues have been identified. The strengths have been noted. The adjustments have been made.

The Brooklyn Nets have used the last two days of practice to make the tweaks they believe will help them win Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.

“We covered a lot of stuff, trying to show where openings are so we can attack them quicker, not turn the ball over as much, and be able to execute and score,’’ Nets coach Lionel Hollins said.

“I feel we made some nice adjustments,’’ he continued. “We showed a lot of stuff that they do. The key is being able to do it under fire and in the heat of the battle and sticking with it and being able adjust out of it when they don’t do what we thought they were going to do. That all comes into play, too.’’

The Nets, who dropped Game 1, 99-92, know they need to move the ball quicker against Atlanta’s double-team defense. They want to get center Brook Lopez (17 points; 14 rebounds), who attempted just seven shots against the Hawks, more touches. They also know that they need to cut down on turnovers.

But after losing four regular season games to Atlanta by an averaging of 17.4 points, the Nets had the Hawks on the brink in Game 1. Brooklyn trailed by three in the third quarter and by four with less than two minutes remaining.

“The fact that we could go into this arena and make a tough game down the stretch is definitely a confidence booster for us,’’ Joe Johnson said. “We’re looking to finish what we start as far as intensity and trying to get off to a fast start.’’

Johnson could be the wild card in this series. He scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and had six assists. He is Public Enemy No. 1 in Atlanta, where Hawks fans feel he didn’t embrace the franchise when he played here from 2005-2011.

It’s pure folly, but Johnson was booed every time he touched the ball. He expects to get the same treatment throughout the series.

“It doesn’t bother me, man,’’ Johnson said. “I don’t let it bother me. I block it out. Obviously, I do hear it. I play through it.’’

If the Nets can execute the changes they practiced the last two days, the series can return to Brooklyn tied at one game apiece. Game 3 is Saturday afternoon (3 p.m.; YES). A limited number of tickets are available.

NOTES: Hawks center Al Horford, who suffered a dislocated right pinky in Game 1, said he would play in Game 2. Power forward Paul Millsap (six points on 2-of-11 shooting), who has been wearing a protective pad since suffering a sprained right shoulder against the Nets on April 4th, said he would go without the pad.

after-two-days-of-practice-nets-confident-for-game-2

After Two Days of Practice, Nets Confident For Game 2

ATLANTA – The Brooklyn Nets have no intention of making wholesale changes for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Nets worked on adjustments at Monday morning’s practice at Georgia Tech that coach Lionel Hollins and company believe can send this series back to Brooklyn tied at one game apiece.

The Nets dropped a hard-fought opener, 99-92, on Sunday evening in Philips Center. They committed too many turnovers and got center Brook Lopez too few field goal attempts.

“It’s deeper than that," Hollins said when asked about Lopez only getting seven shots (he made six) in his 17-point, 14-rebound performance.

"We’re going to try to get Brook more shots. That’s the game of cat and mouse."

But Lopez, the quintessential team player, isn’t about to make this series about his touches.

“I’m going to try to be a bit more aggressive kind of early and be strong and look for stuff," Lopez said.

Al Horford suffered a dislocated pinky finger on his right hand and Atlanta is floating the possibility that its 7-foot center may not play in Game 2. If you believe that, half the Brooklyn Bridge is up for sale. Getting Lopez more touches is in play.

NETS GAINS: Hollins wouldn’t say if Bojan Bogdanovic would start at shooting guard in place of rookie Markel Brown. Hollins suggested that might be an adjustment he would consider. Bogdanovic did do some work with the first team.

Mirza Teletovic, who missed three months after blood clots were discovered in his lungs in February, went through his third straight practice. Teletovic said he felt he could contribute but wasn’t sure at what level.

brooklenns‑own