Brooklyn Nets 2016: Year in Review

Dec 22, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) stitches before the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) stitches before the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
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May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks listens to Brooklyn Nets new head coach Kenny Atkinson answer questions from media during press conference at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks listens to Brooklyn Nets new head coach Kenny Atkinson answer questions from media during press conference at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

It’s time to start fresh. A lot has happened for the Brooklyn Nets in 2016, and most of it revolves around the movement of personnel within the organization. Coaches, executives and players came and went, and it’s time we look back and acknowledge them.

Over the calendar year, the Brooklyn Nets have risen from the league’s laughingstock and became a team that’s competitive, but doesn’t have the roster to win against premier ball clubs. After their decision to “win now” a couple of years ago, the front office is still trying to dig themselves out of the hole that they created.

The familiar faces — Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett, Joe Johnson — are gone, and the roster is entirely different than when Mikhail Prokhorov took over. More importantly, the Nets are fun to watch. Although the team didn’t get a top-three player in the off-season, the guys have formed a solid bond and work very well with one another. Furthermore, they’re still developing.

Most of the guys who are the future got signed to small deals over the summer, and the small investments could turn out a ridiculous return.