The Nets, coming off one in every of their higher victories of the season, had been greeted at follow Monday by the postgame remarks of Houston head coach Ime Udoka, who slammed his personal group’s effort and mentioned that was the explanation for the loss.
At one level, Udoka — who was practically employed by the Nets to interchange Steve Nash as their head coach in 2022 — referred to the Nets as a “lower-level group.”
Day’Ron Sharpe mentioned after Monday’s follow that the gamers felt disrespected by the remark from a coach of one of many Western Convention’s high squads.
“After we walked in, Jordi confirmed us what Ime mentioned [Saturday] evening,’’ Sharpe mentioned of Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. “They take a look at us like we’re not competitors.”
That seemingly gained’t be the case when the groups play one another Tuesday at Barclays Heart, given the Nets’ 12-point victory within the earlier matchup.
“We’ve received to return in with the identical mindset, the identical aggression, the identical bully mentality,’’ Sharpe mentioned of Tuesday’s recreation. “We will’t get bullied. We’ve received to bully them so we are able to win each video games back-to-back.”
Requested if Udoka’s feedback would “inspire” him, Sharpe mentioned, “I’m motivated each recreation, regardless of who we’re taking part in. So, I assume.”
Tuesday’s recreation is the primary of six straight dwelling video games for the Nets, who could possibly be impacted by Thursday’s commerce deadline.
Fernandez mentioned that though Cam Johnson (ankle) “went by nearly all of follow” Monday, he’ll miss his sixth straight recreation Tuesday.
“He did job,’’ Fernandez mentioned. “He’s feeling good. He’s out for [Tuesday] after which after that, he’ll be day-to-day.”
Which means Johnson may probably play towards the Wizards on Wednesday, however the 6-foot-8 ahead is among the Nets’ interesting commerce chips and the group could also be reluctant to place him again within the lineup previous to the commerce deadline and danger worsening the damage.
Johnson, 28, is averaging a career-best 19.4 factors per recreation.
Ziaire Williams known as the group’s response to the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis commerce “loopy.”
“I truly misplaced a wager,’’ Williams mentioned. “I misplaced a wager with a few guys as a result of I assumed it was faux. So I owe about $300 to a few of these guys. … Undoubtedly a blockbuster, to say the least.”
The truth hadn’t even set in for Williams.
“Even now, till I see Luka in a special jersey, I simply can’t grasp the idea that he’s on a special group,’’ Williams mentioned. “Like I mentioned, you simply by no means know.”
Sharpe added, “I ain’t gonna lie, Mavs followers must be mad. However you by no means know the way it’ll play out. … If I used to be a Mavs fan, I’d be mad that they traded Luka — me, personally.”