The Brooklyn Nets have gone from being the NBA’s signature attraction on Christmas Day to a group identified for countless hypothesis, controversy and dysfunction.
The newest plot twists are courtesy of Kevin Durant who desires to be traded except proprietor Joe Tsai tells GM Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash to hit the bricks. While this story has supplied sizzle to the NBA offseason, it’s unhealthy for enterprise.
No one likes uncertainty. And that’s what Durant, one of many NBA’s marquee points of interest, has served up. Now, even Durant, or Tsai, can not present steerage to the league’s nationwide TV companions (Turner Sports, ESPN) on when, or what number of instances, they need to schedule the Nets subsequent season.
Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network (TV house of the Nets) fits can not inform advertisers if Durant, who signed a four-year, $198 million contract extension in 2021, will probably be in Brooklyn to start out the season. Without Durant, the worth of the Nets to YES, and what it will possibly cost advertisers to buy commercials, takes a success. Without Durant, the arrow additionally factors down in terms of promoting Nets season ticket subscriptions and company sponsorships.
It’s like slowly pulling a band-aid off a wound. Pain is coming. You simply don’t know when. If Durant had been traded rapidly, which isn’t more likely to occur, the Nets might transfer on and have time to start out promoting a “new” group that also would possibly function Kyrie Irving and perhaps even Ben Simmons. Value, each in rankings projections and promoting gross sales, would come into clearer focus.
Yet, if the state of affairs stays the identical, every part pertaining to Nets enterprise should be prefaced: With or with out Kevin?
Like final week on ESPN’s “NBA Today” (it should have attracted extra August eyeballs than regular from these tuning in to observe the Durant story) when the panel was going over projected NBA win totals, they usually obtained to the Nets, one panelist puzzled: “With or without Durant?”
While this sport of hen is unhealthy for Nets, and league, enterprise, it tickles the flowery of anybody subscribing to the notion the NBA product is extra entertaining off the courtroom. For those that like a highlight on actuality, the present Nets/Durant drama is healthier than any fictionalized, scripted model of an NBA group.
If Durant remains to be with the Nets in coaching camp, and Nash/Marks are nonetheless employed by the group, think about the stress surrounding all concerned? On ESPN’s “NBA Today,” entrance workplace “insider” Bobby Marks stated Durant might relieve a few of the stress by addressing the group, telling them that so long as he’s in Brooklyn, he will probably be giving his all, taking part in to win.
That would possibly briefly cool issues down, nevertheless it received’t kill the story. It will probably be mentioned each day and be part of any Nets nationwide or native telecasts. The day-to-day nervousness will proceed; reaffirming the notion the NBA is a participant’s league. Will the Durant state of affairs, particularly if it drags on, develop into a tipping level?
The present NBA TV contract with ESPN and Turner Sports, value $24 billion, expires after the 2024-25 season. It has been speculated the NBA is in search of $75 billion in its subsequent deal.
Can the homeowners anticipate that type of dough from their TV companions after they can’t even assure superstars, below contract, will probably be part of their group’s roster?
NOW WHAT, DEREK?
What is Derek Jeter going to do with the remainder of his life?
That’s the query both Michael Kay or Alex Rodriguez ought to ask Jeter, who’s scheduled to seem on ESPN’s different Sunday Night Baseball (Yankees-Red Sox) KayRod telecast.
Jeter has been capable of stay within the highlight since he retired from the sport. Whether or not it’s his 4 bumpy years as Marlins CEO, his Hall of Fame induction, ESPN documentary, or the nationwide commercials he has appeared in, Jeter maintained a excessive profile.
Now he could also be fading. Could his look on the KayRod soiree be a trial balloon, a TV display take a look at, so to talk?
Jeter’s historical past suggests the function of baseball TV analyst shouldn’t be one thing he wishes. Yet, his historical past additionally recommended that agreeing to be the topic of a multi-layered documentary was by no means a part of his plan. When confronted with a clean canvas, Jeter would possibly once more paint a shocking transfer.
DON’T SLEEP ON KEITH
While the Mets have formally entered gaga territory, Keith Hernandez remains to be discovering new methods to “entertain” these watching on SNY.
During Game No. 1 of final Saturday’s doubleheader with Atlanta, Hernandez knowledgeable the unwashed plenty the heavy lifting (aka sitting down and analyzing a sport) would require a between video games “nap.” While self-centered, we discovered his sleepy evaluation enlightening.
It additionally ready us for what was to return. Hernandez defined how his minions had scouted out the luxurious suites at Citi Field and located one ”with a sofa” to take his between video games nap. Incredible stuff. Especially when the Mets had been engaged in a vital collection with the Braves.
The nap? It should have labored out. Hernandez made it to Game 2.
And he was there final Sunday too, when SNY drew 555,000 viewers to observe Braves-Mets. It was the second most seen Mets sport in SNY historical past. Of course, all of them tuned in for the analytical stylings of Hernandez. That Jacob deGrom was making his pitching return to CitiField for the primary time in 13 months was small potatoes, proper?
AROUND THE DIAL
The Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo backlash impact on ESPN’s “First Take” was alive and nicely final week. After throwing the likes of JJ Redick off his sport in earlier episodes, Doggie obtained Ryan Clark to blow his cool final Monday. Russo delivered the ridiculous notion Rams receiver Cooper Kupp has already accomplished sufficient in his profession to be a Hall of Famer (Russo would later admit he was incorrect on his SXM radio present). On “First Take,” Clark fired again. Russo — loudly — defended himself. Clark took offense saying: “Mad Dog, you’re going to stop screaming at me bro…lower your voice.” Did Clark actually assume Doggie earned his popularity by being a serial whisperer? … With David Diehl leaving the realm for a training gig on the University of Memphis, Kimberly Jones will take his spot on WFAN’s Sunday morning soccer present becoming a member of Marc Malusis. Jones, most lately an NFL Network reporter, and Malusis, the Ch. 11 sports activities anchor, have labored collectively earlier than, which ought to make for a easy transition. … FAN’s Brandon Tierney has religion the Jets will be capable to put collectively an environment friendly O-Line regardless of the lack of Mekhi Becton. Tierney stated in contrast to different Jets followers, he’s not flustered. “I’m not like some candy wrapper floating around in the wind,” he stated. Interesting line. We assume.
* * *
DUDE OF THE WEEK: LINDA COHN
For surviving and thriving at ESPN for 30 years. And Cohn did it with out counting on a gimmick, or a trademark catch-phrase, or any manufactured look-at-me stunts. Amazing!
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: MEKHI BECTON HATERS
The social media, and VOS, piling on when the Jets 2021 first-round choose suffered one other severe harm was past something sane or acceptable. It was so ridiculous, and heartless, that coach Robert Saleh felt compelled to face up for his younger sort out throughout a press convention.
DOUBLE TALK
What Aaron Boone stated: “We’ve got to get it going offensively.”
What Aaron Boone meant to say: “When we’re not hitting home runs, we stink offensively.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com