Skip Bayless is shocked with Nets' response to Steve Nash getting ejected: “Steve lost his mind…He was trying to detonate his team”
The Brooklyn Nets have gotten off to a slow start this season, going 1-3 after Wednesday night's 110-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. They won't have long to dwell on the loss, as they face the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Brooklyn found itself in the national spotlight throughout the offseason. It initially started when superstar forward Kevin Durant requested a trade from the team. That resulted in many wondering if both Durant and his teammate, Kyrie Irving, would be moved on the trade market. Since then, cooler heads have prevailed and Brooklyn is trying to get on the same page this season.
They say that winning solves everything. Unfortunately for the Nets, that hasn't been part of the equation. Tensions were high in Brooklyn's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
It resulted in coach Steve Nash losing his temper, something that is uncommon of the former NBA superstar. Analyst Skip Bayless said he was shocked that Nash's actions didn't have the Nets respond positively during the game.
"Steve lost his mind, and I do think it was calculated, because he was trying to detonate his team," Bayless said. "And guess what? It didn't work. It went exactly the wrong way, which surprised me that his team did not respond to that at all."
.@RealSkipBayless reacts to the Bucks beating the Nets 110-99:
"It shocked me that the Nets didn't respond positively after Steve Nash got ejected." https://t.co/ubj8EuVdIm
Steve Nash and the Brooklyn Nets look to get back on track against the Dallas Mavericks
It's not uncommon for an NBA coach to try to motivate his team during a game. Some coaches will use drastic tactics to give their players an extra spark. That can sometimes lead to conflict with referees. That's what it looked like Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash was trying to do.
The Nets found themselves leading 55-43 at halftime. But the Milwaukee Bucks outscored them 35-21 in the third quarter alone. After a couple of questionable calls, it was clear that Nash was looking to motivate his roster.
However, that plan backfired as Milwaukee went on to win in convincing fashion. Bucks forward Antetokounmpo finished with 43 points – including 34 in the second half – on 16-of-25 shooting. Brooklyn forward Kevin Durant led the team with 33 points on 10-of-23 shooting.
Steve Nash was FIRED UP! Don’t think we have ever seen this kind of emotion from him https://t.co/f8eFPrAA5T
For a team that has dealt with controversy this offseason, it's been a less than ideal start to the season.
Brooklyn (1-3) will face the motivated Dallas Mavericks (1-2) to kick off a four-game home stand. It could be an important opportunity for the team to string together a couple of wins. After the Mavericks, the Nets will welcome the Indiana Pacers (1-4) for a pair of games, as well as the Chicago Bulls (3-2).
Brooklyn has the talent to be a force in the Eastern Conference, there's no doubt about it. But with every loss, doubts about this team getting on the right track grow. It will be an important upcoming week for the Nets as they look to avoid an early-season slide.