NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Brooklyn Nets just completed on one heck of a run as they ripped off 12 straight wins following their victory over the San Antonio Spurs Monday night. As usual, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have been the catalyst but other players are now finding their footing in the rotation. Since Jacque Vaughn took over for Steve Nash, the Nets are 23-8.
Before their loss against the Chicgo Bulls Wednesday night, the Nets had 2 players in the top 15 in scoring with Durant averaging 29.6 points per game and Irving averaging 26.2 per game. But their success had more to do with the co-stars than anything. And what’s amazing is that they have yet to get the full experience of Ben Simmons.
Besides the poor job Nash did early on, the Brooklyn Nets were hit with injuries and inconsistent play. Joe Harris was not at full health and neither was Seth Curry. But since their return to the rotation, the Nets have taken off. In their absence, players such as Royce O’Neale, Edmond Sumner, and Yuta Watanabe stepped up and provided a spark until their shooters returned.
On the offensive side is where the Nets are getting their respect but what they have done on the defensive end of the court is going unnoticed by most. The Nets, yes I said the Nets are 7th in Points Against and 10th in Defensive Rating. Somehow, the Nets have learned the art of defense and that’s due to everyone buying in.
The Brooklyn Nets Are All In
If there was a knock on the Brooklyn Nets, it’s their lack of size. In a division with Joel Embiid, Mitchell Robinson, Pascal Siakam, Al Hartford, and Robert Williams, the Nets man in the middle is the youngster, Nic Claxton. On the season, he’s averaging 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds but doing so in only 28 minutes per contest. The Nets will need to beef up their play in the paint before the playoffs and this young man will be the difference between an early exit or a deep run.
With TJ Warren healthy and coming off the bench, the Nets have solid production from the 2nd unit now. Warren, in just 13 games is averaging 10.2 points while shooting .548 percent from the floor. Depending on the matchups, Vaughn still has Harris (8.5) and Curry (8.6) to provide perimeter offense for the 2nd unit.
Vaughn has done a great job of mixing the right rotations and getting the best out of his players. Nash had his faults but there was just too much noise following this team at the beginning of the season. For success to happen in the NBA, everyone has to be on the same page.
Even with their winning streak, there was one thing missing. Simmons is a 3-time All-Star and he has yet to fully insert himself the way he did while with the Philadelphia 76ers. If Simmons can get his game right, the rest of the NBA is in trouble. Simmons, in 26.9 minutes per is averaging 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting .598 from the floor. Yes, his defense has been key to their winning streak but there will come a time when the Brooklyn Nets need more.
For now, everything is clicking. The team is having fun, Durant and Irving are back to being cornerstones, and the young guys are playing their roles to a tee. No team in the league has a complete roster. However, the Brooklyn Nets are showing what can be done if everyone is on the same page.
