The Nets were acutely aware of their slim margin for error following the Brooklyn Nets All-Star break if they wished to steer their destiny towards the postseason. Despite undergoing a mid-season coaching change, parting ways with former head coach Jacque Vaughn, and bolstering their roster with the addition of veteran point guard Dennis Schröder, they found themselves unable to break free from their downward spiral as losses continued to mount.
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Brooklyn Nets
On Wednesday night, the culmination of dysfunction, sluggish starts, subpar shooting displays, and lopsided defeats plagued Brooklyn.
In that crucial Wednesday encounter, every aspect of dysfunctionality, every instance of sluggish beginnings, each poor shooting performance, and every demoralizing loss came back to haunt Brooklyn.
Although they managed to avenge Monday’s defeat in Indiana by triumphing over the Pacers with a 115-111 victory, the Atlanta Hawks secured their position with a 121-113 win against Detroit at State Farm Arena. This ensured the Hawks of at least the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, leaving only five games remaining.
With the final Play-In berth sealed, the Nets (30-47) found themselves officially ousted from playoff contention, regardless of the outcome of their Wednesday clash. Interim head coach Kevin Ollie expressed pride in the resilience displayed by the team, emphasizing their refusal to concede defeat.
“While acknowledging the Hawks, our focus remains on fostering championship and competitive character within the team, regardless of the outcome,” remarked Ollie.
As attention begins to shift towards the future, the outlook appears somewhat bleak for the Nets. With Houston holding their first and second-round draft picks, impending free agency for players like Nic Claxton, Dennis Smith Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, and Trendon Watford looms large.
Moreover, the question arises of whether Kevin Ollie has done enough to shed the interim label during his brief tenure. Should the answer be negative, a protracted coaching search seems inevitable, adding further uncertainty to the mix.
Reflecting on Ollie’s efforts, Cam Thomas commended his adaptability amid challenging circumstances following the All-Star break.
However, amidst these challenges, there are reasons for optimism. The Nets possess valuable future assets for reconstruction, while emerging talents such as Cam Thomas, Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson, and Dariq Whitehead offer promise. Additionally, the team can count on Mikal Bridges, who remains under contract until 2026.
The potential of young players like Clowney was evident in Wednesday’s victory, with the 19-year-old delivering career-best performances.
As the Nets navigate their rebuilding phase, patience emerges as a crucial virtue. While immediate success may elude them, the foundation for a competitive future is being laid.
For now, the Nets find solace in celebrating small victories, like their 30th win of the season against formidable Eastern Conference opponents.
As Mikal Bridges aptly summarizes, the end of this season marks merely a transition towards greater opportunities for growth and cohesion in the future.
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