Will the Brooklyn nets keep their playoff spot?
- Barnaby Vogt
- Feb 13, 2023
- 4 min read
The Brooklyn nets traded away two of the most skilled players in the league (history) right before the the trade deadline last Thursday, shocking everyone by shipping out Kevin Durant to the suns after trading away Kyrie Irving earlier in the week.
But we're not focused on those two here - we're focused on the rubble that was left once the nets roster burned around them. Can they keep Brooklyn in playoff contention? It's abit late to tank now.
The Brooklyn nets currently sit at the 5th seed in the east, 6 games ahead of the New York Knicks in 7th. The deficit could go either way tonight as both teams face off at Madison Square Garden.
After blowing up their roster, the nets not only got future draft picks but IMO some nice pieces aswell.
Spencer Dinwiddie from the Irving trade is HUGELY underrated, solid 3 point shooter and can create for himself aswell as getting his teammates involved. He was a great Number 2 option for the Mavs but Kyrie is an obvious upgrade.
25-6-5 in his (second time around) debut was a nice exhibition of what he brings to the team. Nets fans know this already, I'll never forget him and Caris Levert going absolutely crazy for half a season.
Anyway - nice piece to have!
Dorian Finney Smith came with Dinwiddie from the Mavs; he brings with him perimeter defending of the highest caliber. Solid rebounder and knows his role. You won't get a huge amount of points from him on a regular basis but he slots in perfectly wherever needed.
Mikal Bridges came from Phoenix as a piece for KD; he's just been improving every year. Coming back to the suns after a short stint in Toronto this year, he's built himself to be another elite defender and was pivotal in the Suns regime for Monty Williams. Doesn't go to the foul line much, but he's 85% for his career so drawing fouls might be something for Brooklyn to work on with him this season.
Averaging 17.2, 4 and 4 he is another gem in the rough for the nets.
Making up the rest of the starting 5 - Nic Claxton the young centre out of South Carolina, taken 1st in the second round of the 2019 draft, is coming into his own this season. 2.6 blocks a game is enough to lead the league this season, making him a legitimate candidate for defensive player of the year and I wouldn't disagree with that (too much).
He also leads the league in another stat - field goal percentage. Crucial to any winning team.
Claxton has basically turned into the version of Rudy Gobert the Timberwolves thought they were getting.
Cam Johnson, the 'twin' of Mikal bridges (not actually, they just act like twins), started in his first game in Brooklyn and is just another cog in the 10-12 man rotation the net will be using.
I think you can move Finney smith to the 4, bridges to the 3 keep Dinwiddie and Claxton where they are and stick Cam Thomas; the 'next big talent' in at the 2.
I mean he scored 40 in 3 straight games, one of them in only 29 minutes. The boy can ball there's no doubt about that.
On the bench you have great 3 point shooters in Joe Harris and Yuta Watanabe.
Patty mills can still ball out, and Royce O neal has been solid for the nets all season starting every game but one.
From the above, any team would be jealous of this roster and even if they hadn't had KD and Kyrie, wouldn't be surprised to see them at the number 5 seed.
I think they're sticking there. Number 5 seed going into the playoffs.
Coach Jacque Vaughn has been another revelation for them this season. He has been widely praised by players and staff alike, we know Durant was a big fan before he left for Arizona. The nets have gone from at worst a bottom three defensive team when Steve Nash was head coach, and are now top 10 league wide in defensive rating. It's an amazing job this man has done and (I think) will continue to do this season. His basketball IQ is through the roof and he makes adjustments during games just as good as anyone in the NBA.
I think as sports fans we LOVE the big names; the Jordans and the Lebron James' of this world, and just a team of players who's game compliments one another, with solid role players doesn't cut it in our eyes. We might just be seeing this nets team as one of the biggest overachievers in history for years to come.
Come playoff time, I'm not saying they CAN beat the cavs, bucks, celtics 76ers etc. But they won't just be rolling over for a belly rub.
I think if they play the 76ers in the first round? They might just have a chance.
As always, come back here to laugh at me when they drop out of playoff contention completely.
Footnote - I know I haven't mentioned Simmons. It was on purpose. I don't want to curse the team.
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