Last season the Brooklyn Nets had a very disappointing season when considering their roster. Finishing third in the Atlantic Division and eighth in a very weak Eastern Conference wasn’t the plan heading into the season. But it was evident that chemistry and cohesion was pretty much nonexistent. Deron Williams, now with the Dallas Mavericks, had constant confrontations head coach Lionel Hollins.
Nj.com reported that Hollins and Williams’ disagreements even evolved into teammates having to physically hold back Williams as he was screaming at Hollins. With any team, if the starting point guard isn’t cooperating with the coach’s orders, it can have a tremendously negative impact on the franchise. Another example of this was put on notice when Rajon Rondo was butting heads with head coach Rick Carlisle, which ultimately ended with benching Rondo and a first-round exit in the Western Conference Playoffs.
Around AS break, sources say Deron Williams had to be physically restrained from going after Hollins during a meeting to air out grievances.
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) July 10, 2015
Although Williams’ drama weighed the team down significantly, he is gone and now attention can shift on finishing with an improved record from last year’s 38-44. Brook Lopez re-signed with the team for a three-year deal worth $60 million. Re-signing Lopez was crucial if they plan on returning to the playoffs. The big man averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks last season. Losing Mason Plumlee in the trade with the Portland Trail Blazers making Lopez Brooklyn’s only true post presence.
This summer, there were also talks of Joe Johnson being involved in trade rumors with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The main reason the Nets would consider getting rid of Johnson is because his hefty contract. He will make $24.8 million this upcoming season before entering the market as a free agent. In the end, the deal with the Cavaliers didn’t go through because they would have owed over $100 million in luxury tax. Since the Nets made the move to Brooklyn from New Jersey, Johnson has been the face of the team. Last season he averaged just 14.4 points per game, which is his lowest since the 2002-03 season.
The Nets were also able to bring back their third leading scorer in Thaddeus Young on a four-year $50 million deal. Young brings athleticism and versatility at the power forward position that is needed in a league where most teams are switching to the small-ball style of play. The lefty averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Young was traded to the Nets from the Minnesota Timberwolves mid-way through the season. Playing just 28 games with the Nets, he will head into this year with a better understanding of his role and the system, which will only benefit himself and the team.
This upcoming season, there may be some new faces that will have to take on bigger roles than they did in previous years of their career. Here we take a look at the top three players that will have high expectations heading into the 2015-16 season.
Next: No. 3