March 2011 New Jersey Nets Wiretap

Nets Looking To Move Up In Draft

May 19, 2011 10:15 AM

The big board says the Nets will select 27th and 36th in the June 23 draft.

Just don't bet on it. Nets general manager Billy King already is looking to move.

"I'm trying to move up already or even acquire another pick," Nets general manager Billy King said yesterday after landing in Chicago, where the NBA conducts its annual pre-draft camp. "I couldn't give you a percentage or odds if it'll happen, but we're trying.

"It gives you a chance to see some guys," he said. "They don't play 5-on-5 but you see how competitive they are in drills, you get to interview guys. But the big thing for me is you get to talk to other teams."

Fred Kerber/New York Post

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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O’Connor: Jazz Have No Intention Of Replacing Deron Williams In Draft

May 18, 2011 10:29 AM

It was a good result last night for the Utah Jazz and GM Kevin O’Connor, who won the third overall pick at the draft lottery, beating the odds to finish three spots above what was projected.
 
O’Connor acquired the pick in the biggest trade in team history, when he felt compelled to deal Deron Williams to the Nets for a veteran and three what-ifs, including New Jersey’s 2011 first-rounder.
 
But while O’Connor was boosted by the good fortune of the ping pong balls, he wasn’t claiming any great victories.  There are only so many Williams’ in the basketball universe, and O’Connor doesn’t see such a franchise-changer in what is widely considered a weak draft.
 
“Who knows (if any of the draft picks will be as good as Deron Williams)? I know one thing. I know how good Deron Williams is. I don’t think you can say that about anybody in this draft,” he said.

Stefan Bondy/New York Daily News

Tags: Deron Williams, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Prokhorov To Lead Pro-Kremlin Political Party

May 16, 2011 3:20 PM

Mikhail D. Prokhorov, the Russian billionaire and owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, announced on Monday that he would lead a liberal Russian political party with close ties to the Kremlin.

The decision, seven months before parliamentary elections, seems to be part of a Kremlin effort to provide an alternative for Russians disaffected with the country’s dominant political party, United Russia, while still ensuring continued support for the ruling authorities.

The party that Mr. Prokhorov will lead, Right Cause, generally espouses pro-Western, liberal views in tune with those of the business and intellectual elite in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Michael Schwirtz/New York Times

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Nets' Lopez Open To Playing Alongside Howard

May 10, 2011 7:26 PM

Nets center Brook Lopez said speculation about the Nets' interest in acquiring Dwight Howard doesn't bother him, and added he could even see himself playing alongside Howard -- if the Nets were able to sign the Magic center as a free agent or otherwise acquire him without trading Lopez.

"You know, I’ve played with bigs before – on other levels, obviously -- with my brother (Robin), growing up,'' Lopez said. "So I think we could do it, if it came down to it somehow. By no means am I endorsing or going out there and saying stuff, but I think we’d find a way if that happened.''

Lopez said his arm -- which was operated on last week to remove calcium deposits and bone fragments that bothered him the entire season -- feels "great,'' and if it heals properly, won't be a problem next season.

Colin Stephenson/Star-Ledger

Tags: Brook Lopez, Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Injury

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Brook Lopez Undergoes Successful Surgery On Right Upper Arm

May 4, 2011 11:41 AM

New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez underwent successful surgery on his right upper arm today, May 4, at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, Nets General Manager Billy King announced.

The surgery, performed by Nets team orthopedic Dr. Riley Williams III and Dr. Andrew Weiland, involved the removal of bone mass and calcium deposits from Lopez’s right upper arm.

“Brook was bothered this year by a bony lump that developed after he was hit in the arm early this year,” said Dr. Williams. “The mass was successfully removed today. A full recovery is expected, and Brook should be able to return to basketball activities in approximately six weeks.”

Lopez will wear a sling for approximately one week and begin rehabilitation in two weeks. He is expected to fully participate in training camp for the 2011-12 NBA season.

Press Release

Tags: Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Injury

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Deron Williams Considering Playing Overseas

May 4, 2011 10:30 AM

New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams is considering taking his talents abroad.

"I'm already looking into playing overseas," said Williams, who was in Santa Monica, Calif., Tuesday taking part in an event featuring his favorite video game series, Call of Duty. "I haven't looked anywhere in general; I'm just looking into the possibility of playing over there. But I'm not going to make a decision until after the CBA."

Beyond that, Williams had nothing more to say about the labor negotiations between the NBA owners and players.

"I'm not even going to talk about it," Williams said. "I'm going to let that work itself out."

Jared Zwerling/ESPN The Magazine

Tags: Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets, Euroleague, NBA, International, NBA CBA, International League

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Williams: Nets Must Acquire Talent

May 3, 2011 7:39 PM

Despite his apparent enthusiasm, Deron Williams stopped short of saying he would sign a contract extension with the New Jersey Nets.

"I'm definitely liking the organization," Williams said. "I'm liking coach (Avery) Johnson, and after numerous discussions with the organization, I feel they're going in the right direction."

Williams, interviewed by ESPN's Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Russillo, was asked if there was anything the Nets could do to get him to sign an extension.

"To be honest with you, we just have to get players,” Williams said. “That's it. Everything else is great: the organization is great from top to bottom, the owner is committed to winning...committed to getting players. That's the bottom line. We have to get some players."  

Nets Daily

Tags: Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Nets Take Over Control Of Springfield Armor

May 1, 2011 4:04 PM

The New Jersey Nets today began their single affiliation with their NBA Development League affiliate, the Springfield Armor, assuming full control of the Armor’s basketball operations. The Nets become the second NBA team, along with the Houston Rockets (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), with such a partnership, also known as a ‘hybrid affiliation,’ and are now the fifth NBA team with a single-affiliated NBA D-League team.

“This is an exciting time for The Nets as we head into this new partnership,” said Nets General Manager Billy King.

Press Release

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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