Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets 2016: Year in Review

By Zach Cronin

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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Nov 12, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard
Nov 12, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) shoots the ball over Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Mar. 19, 2016 – Nets sign Sean Kilpatrick to multi-year deal

This was one of the biggest moves of 2016 — hands down. Sean Kilpatrick hardly had a chance to prove himself after an outstanding career with the Cincinnati Bearcats, and Sean Marks was brave enough to throw him a couple of 10-day contracts in February. His impact was noticed almost immediately, even if it was for the lack of talent the Nets had at the time.

For the last half of the 2015-16 season, Kilpatrick averaged nearly 14 points a night and was a shockingly efficient scorer for someone who barely had experience at the professional level. He nailed 46 percent of his shots, and that included 36 percent from downtown, and Kilpatrick’s carried it into the new season, for the most part.

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The shooting numbers have dipped a bit, but not much; he’s dropped to 43.5 percent overall and 35.8 from three. What’s important to note is that his role is much more pronounced this year, and Kenny Atkinson is using him in a myriad of ways. Since Jeremy Lin has struggled with injuries all season, Kilpatrick is playing a lot more point guard than ever before, and it’s because he’s the Nets’ best playmaker.

It’s not an ideal situation for almost any other team, but it’s different in Brooklyn. They need — and the fans want — Kilpatrick to develop into a combo guard who the Nets can go to late in games, and he’s done so for the most part.

I don’t want to speak on behalf of the entire NBN team, but it’s safe to say we’re all looking forward to what Skilpatrick does in the new year.