Nothin' But Nets
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NBN Roundtable: New Year’s Resolutions For 2017

By Sandy Mui

May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks introduces new head coach Kenny Atkinson at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks introduces new head coach Kenny Atkinson at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

TJ Porreca (@tjporreca_23)

Reflecting on 2016

In February 2016, the Nets hired Sean Marks as general manager. As an NBA executive, Marks comes from the San Antonio Spurs tree, and has a great pedigree. There is no way around it, and Marks inherited a mess in Brooklyn.

The Nets are stuck in a tough position when it comes to roster building, due to the Billy King era. It will take patience, but Marks appears to be the right executive to lead the Nets into the future. The Nets don’t have much in the way of draft picks in the immediate future, but there are other avenues for Marks to add talent. Marks added Jeremy Lin in free agency, traded for the draft pick which would become Caris LeVert, and traded up in the second round of the draft to select Isaiah Whitehead. This type of creativity has given Brooklyn a few pieces to work with moving forward.

The toughest aspect of the season so far has been the point guard depth. Jeremy Lin has suffered multiple hamstring injuries and has missed a game due to a tight back. Greivis Vasquez, initially expected to be Lin’s backup, was released after it was determined that he would need ankle surgery. In the aftermath, the Nets tried multiple options: Yogi Ferrell, Isaiah Whitehead, and Spencer Dinwiddie. With Lin currently out again, the point guard job belongs to Whitehead.

The reality is it’s impossible to try to predict these types of injuries. The Nets thought they had a contingency plan with a mix of veterans and young players at point guard, but the position has been decimated by injuries. It’s tough to say with certainty, but the Nets would likely have a better record than they do now, if not for their point guard injuries.

Looking Forward to 2017

The Nets have had some tough breaks due to injuries, but to be quite honest, other teams have as well. Ultimately, this Nets team has to move forward with the pieces on hand. To get better, Brooklyn must improve their team defense, and the Nets often struggle to rebound as well. This team can absolutely make progress in 2017 before the season ends. Will it be enough to make the playoffs? Probably not — Brooklyn is still a few years away. But the Nets can make progress in this rebuilding season which could help lay the foundation for the future of Nets basketball.