NBA deciding whether to punish, fine Nets for load managing Mikal Bridges, six other players on same night
The NBA is reviewing the Nets’ decision to field a threadbare roster against the Bucks on Wednesday, The Post has learned. The league is determining whether it rises to the level of a finable offense. In a case of load management that offended many of their fans — and appeared to vex their star player, Mikal Bridges — the Nets opted to sit four players against visiting Milwaukee, then compounded matters by pulling three more early in the 144-122 defeat. Nicolas Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson all sat out entirely. Then the Nets doubled down, pulling Bridges, Cam Thomas and Royce O’Neale all after the first quarter.
Source: Brian Lewis @ New York Post
Source: Brian Lewis @ New York Post
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
#Nets make lineup tweaks but still drop tough loss to lowly #Wizards. Mikal Bridges: “We’re just not good right now and we’ve just got to be better.” nypost.com/2023/12/29/spo… via @nypostsports – 1:02 AM
#Nets make lineup tweaks but still drop tough loss to lowly #Wizards. Mikal Bridges: “We’re just not good right now and we’ve just got to be better.” nypost.com/2023/12/29/spo… via @nypostsports – 1:02 AM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
The Nets are 2-7 over their last nine and there’s plenty they need to fix… but it starts with them not getting nearly enough from Mikal Bridges.
He’s averaging 16 points on 38/29/73 shooting splits during that stretch.
Supposed to be Brooklyn’s top player. If he produces at… – 9:52 PM
The Nets are 2-7 over their last nine and there’s plenty they need to fix… but it starts with them not getting nearly enough from Mikal Bridges.
He’s averaging 16 points on 38/29/73 shooting splits during that stretch.
Supposed to be Brooklyn’s top player. If he produces at… – 9:52 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Nets will bring top scorer Cam Thomas (22.8 points) off the bench. Dorian Finney-Smith will start with Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton, Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie. This is their 2nd-most-used 5-man lineup with a 117.1 offensive rating, 110.4 defensive rating and +6.7 net rating – 6:49 PM
Nets will bring top scorer Cam Thomas (22.8 points) off the bench. Dorian Finney-Smith will start with Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton, Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie. This is their 2nd-most-used 5-man lineup with a 117.1 offensive rating, 110.4 defensive rating and +6.7 net rating – 6:49 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Nets’ Mikal Bridges needs more consistency to stay in All-Star Game conversation nypost.com/2023/12/28/spo… via @nypostsports – 10:27 PM
Nets’ Mikal Bridges needs more consistency to stay in All-Star Game conversation nypost.com/2023/12/28/spo… via @nypostsports – 10:27 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Nets played Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, and Royce O’Neale one quarter Wednesday then sat them. Bridges didn’t like it. Neither did Nets fans.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/nets-… – 2:25 PM
Nets played Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, and Royce O’Neale one quarter Wednesday then sat them. Bridges didn’t like it. Neither did Nets fans.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/nets-… – 2:25 PM
More on this storyline
At the time, Vaughn seemed surprised when asked by The Post if he was afraid of any league fines or just considered them the cost of doing business. “It’s just a combination [of players] that is adding up at the same time,” Vaughn said after the game. “But we feel totally comfortable as an organization that we put the best product out there on the floor as many times as possible and we’ll continue to do that. It just so happened that tonight is more than one, two or three people.” -via New York Post / December 31, 2023
Chase Hughes: Wes Unseld Jr. on leaving Bilal Coulibaly on an island to guard Mikal Bridges in the 2nd half: “He’s seen enough… and we’ve seen enough in him… Thus far, he’s performed remarkably. I have more than enough comfort putting him in those situations.” -via Twitter @ChaseHughesNBCS / December 29, 2023
Brian Lewis: Asked Jacque Vaughn about Mikal Bridges’ displeasure w/ limited run Wednesday: “My ideal world of communication is I present the information to (players)…they understand I have to make a choice & the choice will be made. Its just like with my kids. So that doesnt mean you always have to agree” -via Twitter @NYPost_Lewis / December 29, 2023