After several seasons of basically struggling to find any way forward, the Brooklyn Nets can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. With GM Sean Marks and coach Kenny Atkinson in place, the Nets finally have an organizational structure upon which they can build. Now the Nets need to start accumulating assets and showing growth.
> 30 Teams in 30 Days: Brooklyn Nets look to rebuild from ground up
> DA’s Offseason Rankings: Brooklyn is 16.
> GM Sean Marks taking measured approach to future
ICYMI
Traded Brook Lopez to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. … Traded for Toronto forward DeMarre Carroll. … Traded for Portland swingman Allen Crabbe.
THREE POINTS
1. For all of their problems last season — the Nets won just 20 games last season — one goal the Nets were able to achieve last season was they were able to play with speed: The Nets finished the season with a 103.58 pace rating, best in the NBA. They’ll try to replicate that this season.
2. The maxim holds that defense wins championships, and the Nets will have to play better defensively than they did a season ago, when they were bottom 10 in the league in defensive rating.
3. After leveraging assets for years, following next year’s draft the Nets finally regain control of their own picks. For a rebuilding team like Brooklyn, maybe making a judgment about their success shouldn’t come down to wins and losses.
MAN ON THE SPOT
The Los Angeles Lakers used the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft on point guard D’Angelo Russell, who never quite found his footing in Hollywood. But this summer, with the Nets rebuilding and the Lakers looking to clear cap space, the Nets were willing to take a chance on the 21-year-old Russell, who now has the opportunity to show what he can do in Brooklyn’s up-tempo system and under Atkinson, who is known for his player development.
STARTING FIVE
Jeremy Lin | 14.5 ppg | 3.8 rpg | 5.1 apg
Looking to bounce back after playing just 36 games last season due to injuries.
D’Angelo Russell | 15.6 ppg | 3.5 rpg | 4.8 apg
Will be asked to share point guard duties with Lin.
Allen Crabbe | 10.7 ppg | 2.9 rpg | 1.2 apg
After the Nets tried to sign Crabbe a year ago, were able to trade for him this offseason.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | 8.7 ppg | 5.8 rpg | 2.0 apg
A terrific individual defender, Jefferson needs to expand offensive game.
Timofey Mozgov | 7.4 ppg | 4.9 rpg | 0.8 apg
The big man never got a consistent chance to play a major role in Los Angeles.
KEY RESERVES
DeMarre Carroll | 8.9 ppg | 3.8 rpg | 1.0 apg
Carroll reunites with Atkinson, who was on staff in Atlanta when Carroll had his greatest NBA success.
Trevor Booker | 10.0 ppg | 8.0 rpg | 1.9 apg
Veteran power forward provides toughness and interior depth.
Caris LeVert | 8.2 ppg | 3.3 rpg | 1.9 apg
The Nets are banking on the 22-year-old swingman to continue his development.
THE BOTTOM LINE
With the Nets’ first round pick belonging to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn has no incentive to tank. The Nets still have a considerable distance to travel, but considering where they are coming from, they’ve already come a long way.
Lang Whitaker has covered the NBA since 1998. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here or follow him on Twitter.
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