Brooklyn Nets Struggle Continues, Despite Bright Spots

Last year the Brooklyn Nets made it to the first round of playoffs. The Chicago Bulls eliminated them. However, Nets fans were excited about their team again and were anxious to see what would happen during the offseason and a lot did happen.

They picked up Kevin Garnett and one of the best minds to ever play in the NBA, Jason Kidd, stepped in to take over coaching duties.

The Nets 21-25 and are the No.7 seed in the Eastern Conference. As opposed to an improved performance, it appeared as though the Nets were struggling.

Like the LA Lakers last year, it was beginning to become clear in Brooklyn that it took a lot more than just throwing a bunch of big time players on a team and then heading into the playoffs a championship contender. There also had to have chemistry, which takes time to build. 

It does not help that center Brook Lopez is now sitting out for the rest of the season thanks to a broken foot. Joe Johnson and Garnett have tried to pick up the slack, but unfortunately Deron Williams has also be struggling to get his game going.

In 23 starts, Williams has been averaging around 13 points per game. Last season he was averaging around 19 points a game. His scoring is efficient enough, but the veteran guard admitted something in the New York Post that many fans suspected in regards to his confidence.

It’s not my highest. It’s been tough…just being in and out of the lineups, missing two weeks here and there. I feel like I get my legs back, get my legs in shape, and then I go out again. Then I’ve got to just do it all over again. It’s just been a struggle.

The Nets have been playing fairly well despite all this.  In the month of January they lost only three games, among the NBA’s best, earning Coach Kidd much praise.

However, they started February by going on a three game skid.  Last Friday they recorded only 17 rebound in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.  It was an all time NBA record, but not in a good way. It was the fewest rebounds ever gotten in a game.

The sports books do not have much confidence in the Nets either as they are 40/1 to win the NBA Championship this year.

The Nets built a team during the offseason to contend for a championship this year, as Williams and Garnett are not getting any younger. Unfortunately, injury, bad luck and just plain poor chemistry has dealt a major blow to the Nets’ championship prospects.