Netlinked 1/9/15: Ian Eagle wins award, D-Will injured again, AK suspended

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After winning six of seven games, the Brooklyn Nets have lost three in a row and, once again, are trying to figure out how to save their season from the brink of collapse. Anyway, even amid all the despair, one of the Nets’ broadcasters won a major New York sports award this week while Brooklyn’s oft-injured point guard got hurt again. Also, a former Net is in a little trouble with his new team.

Ian Eagle, play-by-play man for most of YES Network’s Nets broadcasts, was named the New York Sportscaster of the Year, along with NBC’s Bruce Beck, for the second consecutive season. As all Nets fans, as well as college basketball and NFL watchers, know, Eagle (or Birdman) is one of the best in the business and is one of the most knowledgeable, interesting and funny on-air guys in sports. He makes even the worst Nets losses fun and for that we owe him a lot.

To dampen the mood a bit, Deron Williams–who got hurt, yet again, in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics–has a fractured rib and is out indefinitely, which could mean awhile. It’s the latest bad news in a series of bad injury news for Brooklyn’s star point guard, who always seems to get hurt right when he’s playing better. Looks like Jarrett Jack and Darius Morris will have to pick up the slack.

Finally, Andrei Kirilenko–whom the Nets traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for the now-released Brandon Davies in December–has been suspended without pay by the 76ers for not reporting to the team. AK has remained in New York dealing with a family medical issue for the last few weeks as he continues to request a release from the 76ers, who won’t grant it. Strange situation for the former Net.

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