The Brooklyn Nets Future

At the beginning of the season the Brooklyn Nets had the fifth best odds to win the NBA Finals, only in front of them are the Warriors, Celtics, Clippers and Bucks. Eight games into the season, they sit at 2-6 and in the bottom five of the NBA. It all starts with the front office and coaching that was already in shambles going into the 2022-2023 NBA season. 

Going into the beginning of the NBA season, Owner Joseph Tsai and General Manager Sean Marks decided they were going to remain with their Head Coach, Steve Nash. After eight games they made the executive decision to fire him mid-season to make a statement change for the rest of the year. Sean Marks said“there was zero input from any of the players.” Jacque Vaughn will replace Nash as the interim Head Coach that seems to be short-lasted as rumor has been swirling of links between Ime Udoka, Quinn Snyder and the Brooklyn Nets. While Ime is currently the lead front-runner, it will come into question whether Joe Tsai wants to take on the media attention for bringing in a Head Coach who had inappropriate relations with other workers inside of the organization. Ime Udoka is the best option for this team as they need a coach who emphasizes accountability, communication and openness. Ime Udoka would be able to bolster Irving’s play the same way he did with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Once you are able to create a foundation with accountability and communication in an organization then you can focus on the in-game problems. 

Kyrie Irving is averaging 26.9 points per game, 5.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds. However this has come inefficiently as he is shooting 45% his lowest since 2015 and 28% from the three point line. While his points per game is at one of his career best, it takes a lot more than that to get the most important goal, a win. I expect with a new Head Coach that creates a strong foundation within the team it may need to his point total dipping but a rise in assists and efficiency. 

His partner, who many consider to be the number one, is averaging a staggering 32.5 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 52.8% from the field and 34.1% from three. Durant said he was “shocked” to see the news about Steve Nash. This is not the first time Kevin Durant has been a part of a mid-season Head Coach firing as back in 2008 when P.J. Carlesimowas fired after a horrid 1-12 start. This led to Scott Brooks stepping in as Head Coach from 2008-2015 which many consider the beginning and early prime of Kevin Durant. A new Head Coach with styles of play that fit into fruition with Durant can only lead to a plethora of wins for the Nets. 

Ben Simmons, the third piece to the on court trio is very unlike the others as he is putting up a devastating 6.2 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 44% field goal percentage and 0% from three. The expectation for Ben was to be the defensive leader connecting others around him as he would guard the best perimeter player on the court no matter what opponent he faced. People also expected to see a jump in his offensive ability as he has had many months to improve his game, but have only watched the same player who refuses to get to the basket and improve the morale of the team. A new Head Coach is only going to be forced into adjustments by Simmons that only he relates to and when they are denied it will only disintegrate the chemistry. Simmons needs to put his ego aside and really try to learn and grasp all that he can from their upcoming Coach, as the rumor says he will be one with a successful history. 

The Nets started the season with a 130-108 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The starting lineup had a plus-minus of -15, -18, -23, -26 and -27. As a team they allowed the Pelicans to shoot 46% from three to their 30% and 72 points in the 2nd half (42 in 1Q). From these stats alone you can clearly identify the lack of defense by the team as a whole and the lack of motivation to open games. Now after eight games the Brooklyn Nets have a 3rd Quarter point differential of -49. If the team wants to improve their record it starts with playing four full quarters and coming out of the half strong. Where does that all start? Coaching.

The improvement needs to come on the defensive end and from the three. They should be looking for the same players the Lakers are looking for. Buddy Hield, top tier three point shooter and Myles Turner, big who can stretch the floor. If they want to go more for a rotational bench route, they should look for Terrence Ross, Matisse Thybulle and Eric Gordon. These additions add depth, three point shooting and perimeter/interior defense. The current depth of Patty Mills, Day’ron Sharpe and Joe Harris is not going to cut it and really emphasizes the weaknesses of perimeter and interior defense. 

The Eastern Conference is loaded with teams that have added new depth to bolster and sustain their roster such as the Cavaliers, Hawks, Sixers and Bucks. Home court advantage will be a key factor as we enter the midseason with such a deep Eastern Conference.

At the end of the season I expect the Nets to slowly prosper into the team they were expected to be. As long as they stay healthy they will start to come together through experience and chemistry. The communication will pick up as the wins come along. I predict the Nets to end the season 46-36 with a strong end of the season as they have a great January-March and enter the playoffs as a 5 seed.