Andray Blatche Photos

This past season was Andray Blatche's best in the NBA. It was not his statistically most productive. His 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19 minutes --numbers he matched in the playoffs-- were not as good as those he put up in 2009-10 or 2010-11. But he was more efficient, in fact finishing 14th league wide in Player Efficiency Ratings, the highest for any bench player. More importantly, he contributed to a playoff team and of course redeemed his career. And the Nets got all of that for the vets minimum. Every player ranked ahead of him in PER made $10 million or more. (Those who want...

After announcing he wasn't going to renew P.J. Carlesimo's contract, Billy King spoke about the off-season beyond the coaching search offering his thoughts on Joe Johnson's health, retaining Andray Blatche, C.J. Watson and bringing Bojan Bogdanovic to the NBA. Mike Mazzeo provides the highlights, led by King's revelation that Johnson wouldn't have played in Games 1 and 2 vs. Miami because of increasing pain due to plantar fasciitis. "It was getting to the point where we were getting diminishing returns," King said. "He's not one to make excuses for himself, but we knew -- I found out...

Joe Johnson told beat writers Wednesday that he is basically playing on one leg and if this was a regular season game, he'd sit. But it isn't and he isn't. He's playing. "I’m basically just a decoy, spot-up shooter. I can’t really do a whole lot," he said Reggie Evans has some sort of flu and wasn't at practice. But he will be ready to fly to Chicago and play Thursday. Andray Blatche's right calf is so sore. He hopes it will be 90 percent by Thursday. He swears he will play. "There’s no doubt in our mind. We are the better team." he said It's that time of year. Injuries mount up but...

Brooklyn Nets' Andray Blatche (0) and Chicago Bulls' Taj Gibson scramble for a loose ball during the second half in Game 4 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, April 27, 2013, in Chicago. The Bulls won 142-134 in three overtimes. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng, left, drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets' Andray Blatche during the first half in Game 4 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, April 27, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 25: Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls shoots over Andray Blatche #0 of the Brooklyn Nets on his way to 22 points in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Nets 79-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

From left, Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche (0), Deron Williams, C.J.Watson, and Brook Lopez retreat to the bench during a timeout in the second half of Game 2 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2013, in New York. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Nets 90-82 to even the series. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Chicago Bulls guard Marco Belinelli (8) goes up for a layup past Brooklyn Nets forward Andray Blatche, left, forward Keith Bogans (10) and guard Joe Johnson (7) in the second half of Game 2 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2013, in New York. The Bulls won 90-82. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Congratulations to Paul George who won the Most Improved Player award, as announced by the NBA this morning. Paul picked up 52 out of a possible 120 first place votes, while Greivis Vasquez and Bucks big man Larry Sanders rounded out the Top 3. Of note, naturally since this is a Brooklyn Nets blog, Andray Blatche picked up one vote (a first place vote) and Brook Lopez picked up a third place vote. Blatche played in all 82 games for the Nets this season, averaging 10.3 points per game and pulling in 5.1 rebounds in 19 minutes per. He also finished with a PER of 21.9. But, as Rodger Sh...

Chicago Bulls' Carlos Boozer, left, looks to pass as Brooklyn Nets' Andray Blatche defends during the second quarter of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 17: Andray Blatche #0 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against Greg Monroe #10 of the Detroit Pistons on April 17, 2013 at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Andray Blatche leads team with 20 points in comeback victory

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 15: Andray Blatche #0 of the Brooklyn Nets goes up for the winner against the Washington Wizards at the Barclays Center on April 15, 2013 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Washington Wizards 106-101. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets Deron Williams, left, in street clothes, watches as teammates Tyshawn Taylor (41) and MarShon Brooks (9) celebrate after Taylor hit a three-point shot in the Nets 106-101 victory over the Washington Wizards in an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 15, 2013, in New York. Andray Blatche, who was the Nets high scorer, reacts, second from right. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams, left, in street clothes, watches as Andray Blatche, second from left, Kris Humphries, and Tyshawn Taylor celebrate in the second half of their their NBA basketball game as the Nets defeated the Washington Wizards 106-101, Monday, April 15, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)