Stop Sleeping on the Nets
Fans and sports analysts are sleeping on the Nets, predicting the team will barely make the playoffs. As a NBA fan, I do not understand why this is.
Last season, the Nets finished 6th in the Eastern Conference. They had a great first round series against the Toronto Raptors and proved that they were better than the 3rd seed team. They went on to play the Miami Heat in round two, who they swept 4-0 in the regular season. The Nets ended up losing the series 4-1, but were in able to compete with the defending champions almost every game.
Here is a brief recap of the offseason:
Key losses:
Paul Pierce, Shaun Livingston.
Key additions:
Jarrett Jack, Brook Lopez back from injury, Deron Williams? ankles.
Even with the the losses of Paul Pierce and Shaun Livingston, the Nets are still a better team this season. Deron Williams averaged just 14 points and 6 assists last season, the lowest since his rookie season. But he also has not been healthy in three seasons. This past offseason he had surgery on both ankles and is expected to be able to return to his previous form. In the 2010-2011 season, he averaged 20 points and 10 assists. He may be able to get back to that this season. This preseason he averaged 14 points and 6 assists, but only in 26 minutes per game. He also shot 49% from the field and 47% from three point range, while only turning the ball over twice per game. This is a 3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio which is outstanding.
Brook Lopez missed almost the entire 2013-2014 season with a broken foot. Before the injury, he was absolutely dominating the competition, averaging 21 points per game on 56% shooting. He was clearly on his way to another all-star selection, possibly as a starter this time.
With Brook back in the lineup, and Deron finally healthy again, if they can stay healthy you can expect them to be a scary combination, while leading the scary team, the Brooklyn Nets to hopefully a long playoff run.