At what point does a franchise officially make the transition from loser to joke?
For the Brooklyn Nets, they officially crossed that line the day after Halloween, 2022. At least they spared themselves all the trick or treat jokes.
No joke. The Nets are a joke.
They “parted ways” with coach Steve Nash, which cost some wagers and benefitted others. If you had Nash lasting until after December 1, you’re a loser. If you had his tenure ending before Dec. 1, you’re a winner.
But if you’re a Nets fan, well, how can you still be?
Word quickly spread that the Nets have targeted suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka. This is not tampering. This is a joke. An insulting joke.
Udoka was suspended indefinitely for having an improper relationship with a female subordinate. His time in Boston was done.
The Loser couldn’t care less who sleeps with whom as long as no one is being hurt. Since The Loser wasn’t smart enough to put more money on Derrick Henry trampling the Texans defense, he doesn’t have the right to climb aboard a soap box.
But Udoka broke a rule he clearly knew existed and, judging from the severity of the punishment, something the Celtics took very seriously.
Let’s remember, Udoka led the C’s to the NBA Finals last season. He can coach. And apparently he can stroke. One is valued. The other not. Brooklyn doesn’t get that.
By hiring Udoka, the Nets are making two admissions:
1.They do not care about accountability. The guy they are hiring to hold the players accountable, was himself, not accountable.
2. The most powerful man in Barclays Center isn’t the Chinese billionaire owner who founded Alibaba. It’s not the GM who sold out to bring the bearded narcissist known as James Harden to town and play him with team killer and community scourge Kyrie Irving, the most misunderstood A-lister not named Kanye West. (We have a new disdainful celebrity couple – Kyrye.)
The power king in Brooklyn is Kevin Durant, the man who essentially hired Nash in September of 2020. Two years later KD met with owner Joe Tsai in London during the summer and demanded Nash’s head. He got it in less than three months.
KD’s reaction to the coaching change? “I’m shocked,” he said with a straight face although sources tell The Loser his toes, feet and testicles were crossed.😲
For the record, The Loser predicts Udoka will do a terrific job. He has enough credibility from the job he did in Boston bonding superstars – Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
His next project is a much more daunting one. Can he waive that same wand over KD and Kyrie and sprinkle in some edibles so the two don’t leave Ben Simmons bound and gagged on the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues?
The Celtics were 18-21 last season and there were doubts that Udoka had what it takes. Boston finished 51-31.
The Nets are 2-6. The Nets over/under at the start of the season for wins was 50.5. We’re tempted to take the over, but this team has more flaws just than getting KD and Kyrie to mesh. Brooklyn second to worst in rebounding team and the 26th worst defensive team.
The Nets are +600 at BetMGM to win the Eastern Conference. We’re seeing Durant at +1200 for MVP. Tempting.
We wouldn’t be surprised (shocked, yes) if the Nets win it all. If they do, commissioner Adam Silver should hand the trophy to KD. Insert your own joke here.
SPEAKING OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Kudos to Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. After giving up a World Series record five home runs, McCullers could have:
- Not done any postgame media.
- Laid the blame for his performance at the feet of the Phillies, who insinuated McCullers Jr was tipping his pitches.
- Blame it on the long layoff.
Instead, McCullers Jr. manned up. “I got whupped,” he said. “End of story.” RESPECT!