Brooklyn Nets: 66-1
The Brooklyn Nets lost characters that summer, as they watched Jason Kidd bypass town for Paul and Milwaukee Pierce join the Washington Wizards. Those reductions will alter Brooklyn’s makeup significantly, but not for the worse. Lionel Hollins replaces Kidd, and his seven seasons of head coaching experience must mesh nicely with the Nets’ roster. At exactly the same time, Beckley Mason, at a piece for ESPN.com, raised some interesting questions about the standing Hollins built with the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Is what Tony Allen does something you can tutor?” he asked. “Is how Marc Gasol moves 7’0″ and 260 pounds to stymie a point protector something anyone can learn?”
We’re going to find out.
We’ll also discover whether Pierce’s production can be replicated by rookie import Bojan Bogdanovic . And we find out if Mason Plumlee’s time with Team USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup will result in some sophomore campaign Brook Lopez must conquer still another setback with his surgically repaired foot, and Kevin Garnett has to prove he’s got enough juice made to contribute over a handful of minutes per game. But with Joe Johnson and Deron Williams in the backcourt and Jarrett Jack replacing Shaun Livingston Brooklyn stays a squad that is savvy with a fair amount of talent–even though most of it’s nearing its expiry date.
The playoffs are a target for the Nets, and a top-four seed is not out of the question, if the Williams can remain healthy along with Lopez.
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