Brooklyn Nets: The rebuild is still on track
Despite a tough stretch, the Brooklyn Nets have reached the goal they set out to achieve at the beginning of the season.
Since Jan. 17, the Brooklyn Nets have played the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Golden State Warriors. Unsurprisingly, the results have not been good.
Over their last 20 games, the Nets are 4-16 with an average loss margin of 10.2 points per game. Several of those losses have been characterized by Brooklyn’s inability to take care of the ball and keep games close down the stretch.
Against Golden State Tuesday, the Nets erased a 21-point deficit to take the lead and hung around until Golden State pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Obviously, the Nets roster is not currently constructed to beat the NBA’s elite.
As it stands now, Brooklyn possesses the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 21-45. Those numbers, though, don’t tell the story of what the Nets have accomplished as a team this season.
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Sure, there’s plenty of room for improvement, but there is also plenty of reason for optimism. At this time last season, Brooklyn had 11 wins.
With Thursday night’s victory against the Charlotte Hornets, the Nets have eclipsed their season win total from a year ago with 17 games remaining.
While the team’s improvement is encouraging, it’s ultimately helping Brooklyn’s long-term rebuilding process.
Players are beginning to notice the franchise’s ability to develop young talent, which will make the Nets look more attractive in free agency.
Following Brooklyn’s loss to the Warriors Tuesday, Kevin Durant relayed that message.
“I really enjoyed playing against those guys,” Durant said on the YES Network after the game. “They’ve got a bright future.”
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The Brooklyn Nets are finally trending in the right direction and that’s got to feel good for their fans.
For reference, VegasInsider set Brooklyn’s season win total at 26.5 games.
With a month of basketball still yet to be played, the Nets have a good chance of surpassing that number.