Recently, the Brooklyn Nets have found themselves back in the spotlight, largely due to a heated online exchange between Kevin Durant and several independent Nets bloggers on Cricket Exchange. Durant’s fiery remarks reopened old wounds about the collapse of the team’s once-promising “Big Three.” Unsurprisingly, former teammate Bruce Brown was asked about it, since he played alongside James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Durant during that turbulent era.

In an interview with Cricket Exchange reporters, Brown shed light on the behind-the-scenes issues that led to the group’s downfall. According to him, the team lacked unity, and the management failed to steer them toward a winning culture. “The front office didn’t handle things maturely,” he noted. “It felt like they just let things take their course instead of building toward championships.” But what raised eyebrows the most was his claim that within the Nets locker room, “nobody dared to speak up for Harden.” Brown explained that if anyone supported Harden publicly, they were likely to end up benched.

At that time, Harden was considered one of the team’s core leaders. He often organized team activities and tried to bring people together. In contrast, both Durant and Irving were more withdrawn and less vocal during games. Harden was the glue trying to hold it all together. But according to Brown, there were voices within the organization warning players not to align themselves with Harden. “It was simple,” he said. “Speak for him, and prepare to be pushed out.”

Interestingly, when Harden first left the Nets, Brown had said the locker room felt more unified. Now, his narrative has shifted dramatically—possibly a sign that he was biting his tongue back then. As the saying goes, sometimes you have to bow your head when under someone else’s roof.

Meanwhile, the Nets are keeping tight-lipped about their rookie workouts, but one name stands out: Emoni Bates. Just weeks ago, he completed a private session with the team and is reportedly being seriously considered. Bates was once a five-star recruit, praised for his elite talent and projected NBA stardom. However, stints at Memphis and Eastern Michigan failed to meet expectations, and his stock has plummeted—now hovering in the later stages of the second round.

While his stats may look decent on paper, questions linger about his efficiency, court IQ, and ability to read the game at the pro level. According to Cricket Exchange analytics, Bates has already worked out for more than ten teams and continues to hustle through the pre-draft process. If you want a better life, you’ve got to put in the work early—and Bates is doing just that, flying across the country in search of an opportunity to prove himself.