Brooklyn Nets: Wrap-up of their successful 2018-2019 campaign
By Alan Mena
The Brooklyn Nets have arguably had one of the most surprising seasons in 2018-19. Here is a wrap-up of their successful year.
The Brooklyn Nets surprised the NBA world this season by securing their playoff berth as the 6th seed (42-40) in the Eastern Conference this year. Although their record was not fantastic, it is their highest win total since the 2013-2014 season (49-33).
Regular Season
As the tenth youngest team in the NBA, the Nets have proved that they can succeed through adversity when injuries to key players Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe almost derailed their season. More importantly, D’Angelo Russell finally had his breakout season at 23-years-old, showing improvements in his overall game and leadership on a team that lacks ample veteran presence.
One interesting takeaway from this season is that the Nets were 12-8 in games decided by at least three points this season, second behind the Denver Nuggets in total wins (13-3) this year. Two observations statistics: the Nets clearly struggled to defeat their opponents by more than three points and that they had the necessary game plan to defeat their opponents in these close game situations more often than not.
Additionally, the Nets were 5-2 in OT games this season, which finishes in a three-way tie in wins between the Detroit Pistons (5-3) and the Los Angeles Clippers (5-1). Their success in late-game situations must be attributed to the decisions of Coach Kenny Atkinson and his staff, D’Angelo Russell’s stellar late-game heroics, and the impressive ability of the Brooklyn Nets to play as a team.
According to The Ringer, Brooklyn has its very own “Process” and have a bright future ahead of them. None of us, especially the Nets organization themselves, anticipated they would be the sixth-seed in the Eastern Conference this year. Coach Atkinson stated that “we’ve been playing playoff games” in reference to the final months of the season, which is a positive takeaway for a young team that gained exposure to the same kind of atmosphere the postseason generates.
With the Nets thankfully having possession of their future first-round draft picks (and one of the Nuggets’ first rounders), they can continue to build around their young core while using about $50 million in cap space to try and lure notable free agents this summer.