“The anonymous coach’s criticism is also overly harsh. Tatum defends well. He isn’t just preoccupied with scoring.
Tatum’s big problem: He doesn’t pass well enough for how much the ball is in his hands. But he’s just 23 and still learning. He can improve his skills and become more capable of winning on his terms. Or he can adjust his game to fit better into a team construct. Probably both.
Will he strike the right balance to maximize winning?
Who knows? Of the numerous rising stars to face this challenge, some really figure it out. Others don’t.”
2021-22 Matchups vs. San Jose: Second of Two 2020-21 Record vs. San Jose: N/A Toronto Season Record: 14-6-1 Toronto Road Record: 5-3-0 TV: Sportsnet Ontario RADIO: TSN 1050
RECENT TRANSACTIONS November 23, 2021 Forward Joey Anderson has been loaned the Toronto Marlies (AHL) November 23, 2021 Forward Kyle Clifford has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
LAST GAME Score: Toronto 6 at Los Angeles Kings 2 Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 TOR Goals: Kerfoot, Engvall, Tavares, Matthews, Spezza, Bunting LAK Goals: Arvidsson, Durzi TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 30/32, .938 SV% LAK Goaltender: Quick, 32/38, .842 SV% TOR Power Play: 1-for-3 TOR Penalty Kill: 1-for-3
NEXT GAME Date: Sunday, November 28, 2021 Opponent: at Anaheim Ducks Broadcast Information: TSN4 (TV), Sportsnet 590 (Radio)
INJURY REPORT Petr Mrázek (Groin) *On Injured Reserve Ilya Mikheyev (Thumb) *On Injured Reserve Man Games Lost: 37
ALL-TIME VS. SAN JOSE SHARKS: First Matchup between Clubs: November 4, 1991 (Toronto 4 vs. San Jose 1) All-Time Record: 24-23-5-2 (54 Games) All-Time Record at Home: 15-10-2-2 (29 Games) All-Time Record on the Road: 9-13-3-0 (25 Games) Last Road Win vs. Opponent: November 15, 2018 (Toronto 5 at San Jose 3) Record in Last Five Games: 3-2-0 Record in Last 10 Games: 4-5-1
ACTIVE LEADERS VS. SAN JOSE SHARKS: Games Played: Kyle Clifford (49), TJ Brodie (36), Wayne Simmonds (33) Goals: Wayne Simmonds (10), Auston Matthews (8), John Tavares (8) Assists: Jason Spezza (15), TJ Brodie (14), John Tavares (12) Points: John Tavares (20), Jason Spezza (19), Wayne Simmonds (17) Penalty Minutes: Kyle Clifford (84), Jake Muzzin (31), Wayne Simmonds (30)
THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22 Power Play: 14/59 (23.7%) Power Play Goal Leader: 4 – Matthews Power Play Point Leader: 7 – Matthews (4G, 3A), Nylander (3G, 4A) 2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)
ON THE PK IN 2021-22 Penalty Kill: 48/56 (85.7%) Shorthanded Goal Leader: 1 – Marner Shorthanded Point Leader: 1 – Marner (1G), Muzzin (1A) 2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%)
FAST FACTS Friday games 3rd of 4 (3 home, 1 road) Back-to-Backs played 4 of 13 Record in first game of back-to-back 2-2-0 Record in second game of back-to-back 2-2-0 November games 13th of 14 (8 home, 6 road) RECENT MILESTONES
TJ BRODIE Appeared in his 700th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK JACK CAMPBELL Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 16 vs. NSH JACK CAMPBELL Recorded his 50th career NHL win, Nov. 18 vs. NYR PIERRE ENGVALL Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK ONDREJ KAŠE Recorded his 100th career NHL point, Nov. 10, 2021 at PHI AUSTON MATTHEWS Recorded his 200th career NHL goal on Oct. 25 at CAR. Per NHL Stats, Matthews required the second-fewest games to reach 200 goals in Maple Leafs history among players who debuted with the team, trailing only Charlie Conacher (317 games) MORGAN RIELLY Recorded his 250th career NHL assist on Oct. 27 at CHI KIRILL SEMYONOV Made his NHL debut, Nov. 10 at PHI WAYNE SIMMONDS Skated in his 950th career NHL game on Oct. 16 vs. OTT JOHN TAVARES Recorded his 200th point with the Maple Leafs on Oct. 18 vs. NYR JOHN TAVARES Scored his 100th goal with the Maple Leafs, Nov. 13 at BUF
UPCOMING MILESTONES TJ BRODIE One goal away from 50 career NHL goals MICHAEL BUNTING Three games away from 50 career NHL games played TRAVIS DERMOTT Two points away from 50 career NHL points JUSTIN HOLL Nine points away from 50 career NHL points ONDREJ KAŠE Two goals away from 50 career NHL goals DAVID KÄMPF Six assists away from 50 career NHL assists ALEXANDER KERFOOT One game away from 300 career NHL games played ILYA MIKHEYEV Seven games away from 100 career NHL games played JASON SPEZZA Two games away from 1,200 career NHL games played
2021-22 TEAM LEADERS RECORD BY MONTH RECORD BY DAY CATEGORY LEADER CATEGORY LEADER GOALS 9 – Tavares BLOCKED SHOTS 32 – Holl ASSISTS 11 – Marner TAKEAWAYS 25 – Marner POINTS 18 – Tavares (9G, 9A) HITS 49 – Ritchie POWER PLAY POINTS 7 – Matthews (4G, 3A), Nylander (3G, 4A) TOI PER GAME 24:15 – Rielly SHORTHANDED POINTS 1 – Marner (1G), Muzzin (1A) PP TOI PER GAME 3:09 – Nylander, Marner PIMs 15 – Simmonds, Ritchie SH TOI PER GAME 2:35 – Muzzin SHOTS 80 – Matthews WINS 11 – Campbell FACEOFF% 60.0% – Marner GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE 1.68 – Campbell SHOT ATTEMPTS% 57.8% – Sandin SAVE PERCENTAGE .943 – Campbell
RECORD BY MONTH
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY HOME 3-1-1 6-2-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 AWAY 1-3-0 4-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 TOTAL 4-4-1 10-2-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 MARCH APRIL HOME 0-0-0 0-0-0 AWAY 0-0-0 0-0-0 TOTAL 0-0-0 0-0-0
RECORD BY DAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1-0-0 0-2-1 2-0-0 4-0-0 2-1-
SHARKS
LAST GAME 11/24 – SJS 6 vs OTT 3…Six different players lit the lamp as the Sharks reached a new season high in goals for. Timo Meier (1g, 2a) led all Sharks skaters with three points. Jake Middleton (1g, 0a) recorded his first NHL career goal. Nick Bonino (1g, 0a) scored in his 700th NHL career game. SJ Goals: Nieto (1), Hertl (8), Bonino (1), Meier (7), Couture (7), Middleton (1) SF: 29 SA: 29 SJ PP: 1/5 SJ PK: 4/4 W: Reimer (6) L: Murray RECENT SHARKS TRANSACTIONS 11/22 Recalled F Scott Reedy from the San Jose Barracuda; Reassigned F Jeffrey Viel to the San Jose Barracuda 11/20 Recalled F Jeffrey Viel from the San Jose Barracuda 11/19 Activated F Jeffrey Viel off IR; Reassigned F Jeffrey Viel and F Nick Merkley to the San Jose Barracuda 11/12 Reassigned F Sasha Chmelevski, F Joel Kellman, D Artemi Kniazev, F John Leonard, D Ryan Merkley, D Jaycob Megna and D Nicolas Meloche to the San Jose Barracuda 11/12 Removed F Kevin Labanc, D Erik Karlsson, F Timo Meier, D Jake Middleton, F Matt Nieto, D Radim Simek and D Marc-Edouard Vlasic from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS The San Jose Sharks (10-8-1, 21 points) are facing the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second and final time this season. San Jose won the first game of the season between the two on Oct. 22 by a score of 5-3 at Scotiabank Arena. Logan Couture (2g 1a) led all skaters in scoring and fired a team-high six shots on net. All-time, the Sharks are 25-23-5-1 against the Maple Leafs. UPCOMING MILESTONES Marc-Edouard Vlasic: 1 game played from 1,100 NHL games played, he could become the 17th active player to reach 1,100 and third Shark to play 1,100 games with the franchise James Reimer: 4 games played from 400 NHL games played Timo Meier: 5 goals from 100 NHL goals Matt Nieto: 8 assists from 100 NHL assists Logan Couture: 7 points from 600 NHL points RECENT MILESTONES Jake Middleton (11/24): First NHL goal Nick Bonino (11/24): 700th NHL career game Erik Karlsson (11/22): 800th NHL career game Scott Reedy (11/22): NHL Debut Timo Meier (11/13): 200th NHL point (assist) HALL OF FAMER General Manager Doug Wilson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 15. Wilson became the sixth player with Sharks roots to be enshrined, following Igor Larionov (2008), Ed Belfour (2011), Rob Blake (2014), Sergei Makarov (2016) and Teemu Selanne (2017). In 1,024 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Sharks, Wilson recorded 827 career points (237g, 590a), which ranks 15th all-time amongst NHL defensemen. Wilson was the recipient of the 1982 James Norris Trophy, was named to three NHL All-Star teams and played in seven NHL All-Star Games. Internationally, he was selected to represent Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup and the Rendez-vous ’87 series. Acquired by the Sharks in 1991, the blueliner served as the Sharks first captain during his two seasons (1991-1993) with the club as a player.
SUPER MARIO Mario Ferraro blocked a season-high seven shots and recorded a pair of assists on Nov. 24 against Ottawa. The 23-year-old defenseman has 10 points (2g, 8a) through the first 19 games of the season, his most through the first 19 games of a season in his career. Ferraro paces all NHL players in blocked shots (58) and sits 12th among League skaters with 24:53 of ice time per game. In the month of November, he ranks tied-seventh among NHL defensemen in points (2g, 7a) and eighth in time on ice per game (25:33). The alternate captain played a game-high and career-high 31:12 on Nov. 6 against New Jersey and is one of eight League skaters to play 30 or more minutes in a game this season. HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT San Jose recorded a season-high 40 hits on Nov. 20 against Washington. This marked the 22nd time that the franchise had tallied 40 or more hits in a game and the first time that the team recorded 40 or more hits since Oct. 2, 2019 at Vegas (also 40 hits). Rudolfs Balcers (six) and Radim Simek (five) both tied career-highs for hits in the game. Jacob Middleton recorded a new career high for hits in a period and hits in a game with four hits in the first period of the Sharks Nov. 22 game against Carolina. SUBLIME REIM James Reimer is sixth in save percentage (.936) and seventh in goals-against-average (2.04) among NHL goaltenders with five or more games played. Reimer has helped the Sharks earn points in seven of his ten starts and earned the win in the Sharks Nov. 22 game against Carolina (22 saves) and Nov. 24 game against Ottawa (26 saves). No goaltender in franchise history with five or more games played has posted a better save percentage (.950) or goals-against-average (1.54) through the first ten games of a season. Reimer’s .936 save percentage and 1.86 goals-against-average in 19 regular season games in a Sharks uniform leads all franchise goaltenders with more than ten games played. TIMO TIME ALL THE TIME Timo Meier has recorded at least one point in eleven of the fourteen games he has played in this year. This season, he is averaging career-bests in points per game (1.29), time on ice per game (18:02), shots per game (4.21) and blocked shots per 60 minutes (2.85). Meier has recorded the gamewinning goal in two of the Sharks last three wins. The winger tallied three points (1g, 2a), three hits, two blocked shots and two takeaways in San Jose’s 6-3 win over Ottawa on Nov. 24. KILLER EFFORT Since Bob Boughner took over coaching duties on Dec. 11, 2019, San Jose has manned the sixth ranked penalty kill (82.5%) in the league and are tied-eighth with ten short-handed goals in that span. This season, the Sharks currently rank second in the NHL on the penalty kill (48-for-54, 88.9%) and are first in short-handed goal differential (minus-four). ROOKIE CONTRIBUTIONS Scott Reedy made his NHL debut on Nov. 22 to become the league-leading seventh club skater to make their debut this season (others: Jonathan Dahlen, William Eklund, Santeri Hatakka, Artemi Kniazev, Ryan Merkley and Jasper Weatherby). San Jose also leads the NHL in number of rookies to play games (ten) and number of rookie defensemen to play games (five). Entering Nov. 23, Dahlen is second among all League rookies in goals (seven) and first in game-winning goals (two) and became the third Sharks skater ever to record two or more game-winning goals within their first ten NHL career games (others: Marco Sturm – 3 GWG, Joe Pavelski – 2 GWG). Weatherby is first among 2021-22 League rookies (min. 100 faceoffs) in faceoff percentage (50.3%). MODEL OF CONSISTENCY Since being named the team’s general manager on May 13, 2003, Doug Wilson has strategically built the San Jose Sharks into one of the NHL’s top franchises through strong drafting, shrewd trades and timely free agent signings. In his 19 seasons in charge of the Sharks hockey department, Wilson has guided the team to its most successful era since the franchise’s inception, capturing a Presidents’ Trophy (2009), five Pacific Division titles, advancing to the Western Conference Final on five occasions (2004, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2019) and appearing in the Stanley Cup Final (2016). In his tenure as general manager, no other franchise has more wins than the Sharks (741):
RANK TEAM GP W L OT PTS PTS% 1 SAN JOSE 1441 741 445 155 1,637 61.0% 2 Boston 1,338 728 431 179 1,635 61.1% 3 Pittsburgh 1,340 736 460 144 1,616 60.3% 4 Washington 1,341 721 453 164 1,612 60.1% 5 Nashville 1,340 717 465 158 1,592 59.4%
BONINO BACK HOME On Oct. 16, Sharks forward Nick Bonino became the fifth player in league history to play more than 500 career regular-season games before playing their first game for the club that originally drafted them. Bonino was drafted by the Sharks in the sixth round (173rd overall) in 2007 but was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on March 4, 2009. On Nov. 24, Bonino scored his first goal for the Sharks and joined seven other players who had played 500 or more career regular-season games before scoring their first goal for the club that originally drafted them. HOW THE SHARKS WERE BUILT NHL Entry Draft (10): Vlasic, Couture, Hertl, Labanc, Meier, Gregor, Ferraro, Reedy, Weatherby, Hatakka Free Agents (6): Simek, Middleton, Nieto, Bonino, Reimer, Cogliano Acquired via Trade (5): Burns, Karlsson, Dahlen, Barabanov, Hill Acquired via Waivers (2): Balcers, Gadjovich FUTURE FISH REPORT PROSPECT OF THE WEEK (11/24)…Benjamin Gaudreau recorded his first OHL career shutout with a 26 save performance on Nov. 21. Sarnia has recorded points in five-straight games (4-0-1) with Gaudreau between the pipes and the netminder has a .943 save percentage in that span. Gaudreau was named OHL Goaltender of the Week on Nov. 22. FISH IN FORM Brandon Coe is riding a nine game point streak (5g, 15a) in the month of November and sits first in OHL scoring with 36 points (11g, 25a) in 19 games. The forward has posted multi-point games in each of his last five appearances and was named OHL Player of the Week on Nov. 22.
GAME #20 – TORONTO RAPTORS (9-10) vs. INDIANA PACERS (8-12) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021 – 8 P.M. (ET) – GAINBRIDGE FIELDHOUSE TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
• The Toronto Raptors (9-10) finish a six-game road trip (Nov. 15-26) Friday night against the Indiana Pacers (8-12) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Raptors are 2-3 on the trip and 7-4 on the road overall. Toronto has won the first two meetings with the Pacers this season. Fred VanVleet is averaging 21.0 points and 8.0 rebounds vs. Indiana this year. The Raptors have won six of the last eight meetings with the Pacers. • Following Friday’s game at Indiana, Toronto begins a season-long seven-game homestand (Nov. 28—Dec. 13) Sunday night vs. Boston. The Raptors end the month of November with two home games and will play 10-of-13 games at Scotiabank Arena in December. • The Raptors scored a season-high 126 points, made a season-best 47 field goals and shot a season-best .528 (47-89) from the field in Wednesday’s comeback victory at Memphis. The Grizzlies led 71-59 at the half. All five starters scored 17+ points in the win for Toronto. The starting five combined for 100 points and shot .544 (37-68) from the floor. • The Raptors committed just 10 turnovers in Wednesday’s victory at Memphis. Toronto has now recorded fewer turnovers (or same) than its opponent in 15-of-19 games this season. The Raptors rank fourth in the league in turnovers (12.9) and tied for second forcing opponents into 16.7 turnovers per game. • Gary Trent Jr. scored 17 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter Nov. 24 at Memphis. Trent Jr. has now scored 20+ points in five of the last seven games (Nov. 11-24), averaging 21.7 points. He is shooting .466 (54-116) from the field, .435 (27-62) from beyond the arc and a perfect 17-for-17 at the free throw line during this stretch. The Raptors are 5-2 this season when Trent Jr. scores at least 20 points. • Rookie Scottie Barnes recorded 17 points and a team-high nine rebounds Wednesday against the Grizzlies. Barnes leads all rookies in scoring (14.8), rebounds (8.4) and minutes (35.1), and ranks third with a .486 field goal percentage (105-216). He has led the Raptors in scoring five times, rebounds on seven occasions and scored 20+ points in four games. • Gary Trent Jr. (76) and Fred VanVleet (68) rank first and third respectively, in the NBA in deflections. Trent Jr. also ranks fifth in the NBA in steals (2.05) and has tied his single-game career high with five steals three times. VanVleet has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Toronto currently leads the NBA in steals (9.9) and deflections (20.2) per game. • OG Anunoby missed his fourth straight game (Nov. 18-24) Nov. 24 at Memphis with a left hip pointer. He sustained the injury during practice Nov. 17 in Portland. Anunoby is averaging a team-high 20.1 points and has scored 20+ points eight times in 15 games played this season.
PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.1 REB: 8.4 AST: 3.3 STL: 1.0 TO: 2.1 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 14.8 • Recorded 17 points, a team-high nine rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes Nov. 24 at Memphis. • Tied with Precious Achiuwa for the team lead with three double-doubles. • Leads all rookies in scoring (14.8), rebounds (8.4) and minutes (35.1), and ranks third in field goal % (.486).
• Tallied 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes of action Nov. 24 at Memphis. • Needs five rebounds for 2,000 in his career; will become the 10th player in franchise history to reach milestone. • Missed the first 10 games (Oct. 20 – Nov. 5) of the regular season recovering from left shoulder surgery. . C – PRECIOUS ACHIUWA #5
MIN: 24.5 REB: 8.1 AST: 1.6 STL: 0.6 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 8.3 • Finished with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes Nov. 24 at Memphis. • Has scored in double figures in consecutive games (Nov. 21-24), averaging 14.5 points. • Averaging 8.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 24.1 minutes in 12 games as a starter.
G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.5 REB: 3.2 AST: 1.7 STL: 2.1 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 17.5 • Scored a team-high 26 points Nov. 24 at Memphis; added a season high-tying four assists in 39 minutes. • Ranks fifth in the NBA in steals per game (2.05); has recorded multiple steals in 11 games. • Averaging 19.8 points, and is shooting .392 (38-97) from three-point range, in November (12 games).
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.0 REB: 4.9 AST: 6.8 STL: 1.7 TO: 3.1 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 19.4 • Contributed 23 points, six rebounds and a team-high seven assists in 37 minutes Nov. 24 at Memphis. • In nine wins this season, averaging 21.1 points and is shooting .441 (30-68) from beyond the arc. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (38.0), and tied for 12th in both assists (6.8) and steals (1.65) per game.
INJURY REPORT OG Anunoby (Left Hip; Pointer) – Questionable Khem Birch (Right Knee; Swelling) – Out
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 9-10 7-6 2-4 HOME 2-6 2-5 0-1 AWAY 7-4 5-1 2-3 OVERTIME 0-0 0-0 0-0
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Boston Celtics Date: Sunday, November 28 Tip-Off: 6 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
PACERS PROBABLE STARTERS PLAYER / 2021-22 REGULAR SEASON AVERAGES NOTES
8 Justin Holiday
SF • 6-6 • 181 • Washington/USA • 9th Season GP/GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG MPG 20/12 10.0 3.0 1.6 0.5 0.2 28.1 Posted his highest scoring total in his three seasons with Indiana with 27 points as he shot 9-for-11 from the field (6-8 3FG) in the win over Philadelphia, 11/13…Holiday was the only Pacers player to appear in every game over the past two seasons…He has played in 246 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak in the NBA, including 164 in a Pacers uniform.
11 Domantas Sabonis
PF • 6-11 • 240 • Gonzaga/Lithuania • 6th Season GP/GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG MPG 20/20 17.8 11.2 3.8 1.3 0.4 34.0 Currently tied for second in the NBA this season with 12 doubledoubles…Entered the 2021-22 season as Indiana’s career franchise leader in field goal percentage (.552), rebounding average (10.2), and triple-doubles (10)…Recorded six triple-doubles last season – most in a season in team history.
33 Myles Turner
C • 6-11 • 250 • Texas/USA • 7th Season GP/GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG MPG 20/20 12.7 7.5 1.1 0.7 3.0 28.6 Leads the NBA in blocked shots this season with 58 (3.1 per game)…Set a new career high with 40 points and matched his previous high with five 3-pointers in the second game of 2021-22, at Washington, 10/22…Led the NBA in blocks for the second time in his career with 3.4 per game in 2020-21…Has led the NBA in blocks in two of the last four seasons, and has ranked in the NBA’s top five in each of the last five years.
22 Caris LeVert
SG • 6-6 • 205 • Michigan/USA • 6th Season GP/GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG MPG 12/12 13.8 2.8 3.0 0.8 0.6 25.3 Made his season debut, earned the start and finished with 15 points in 16 minutes against the Raptors, 10/30…Set new career highs as he averaged 20.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals over 47 games with the Brooklyn Nets (12) and Indiana Pacers (35).
7 Malcolm Brogdon
PG • 6-5 • 229 • Virginia/USA • 6th Season GP/GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG MPG 15/15 21.3 6.1 5.8 0.7 0.7 35.0 Recorded the second triple-double of his NBA career and his first since his rookie season as he finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the win over Philadelphia, 11/13…Scored 20 or more points a career-high 34 times in 2020-21 with four games of 30+ points, a feat he had accomplished only three times over his previous four NBA seasons.
2021-22 REGULAR SEASON PACERS RECORDS RECORD HOME ROAD OT OVERALL 8-12 5-3 3-9 1-2 WESTERN 4-3 2-1 2-2 0-1 EASTERN 4-9 3-2 1-7 1-1 CENTRAL 1-2 0-1 1-1 —
Nets coach Steve Nash was a rookie head coach last season, but when asked at the Monday morning shootaround how tough it was to send back Allen as part of the Harden trade, Nash said, “For sure. We loved him and wish him a lot of success and are happy for him to get a contract. The reality is he was probably out, we couldn’t probably have re-signed him anyway. Looking at the marketplace, he probably would have gotten a lot of money, and it would’ve been a huge gap compared to some of the other priorities.
“So that was part of the decision in being able to let something like that go. Obviously, the other part is James Harden is a special, special player. But no question we still root for [Allen] and support him.”
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James admitted he was upset about the decision but with the Lakers mired in a losing stretch and staring down a possible 1-4 road trip, he knew there wasn’t much time to stew about it.
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The view from left field 