NBN Roundtable: New Year’s Resolutions For 2017
By Sandy Mui
Zach Cronin (@zach__cronin)
Reflecting on 2016
The calendar year has been interesting, to say the least. The Brooklyn Nets cleaned house and brought on a new coach and GM, which was the best thing they could’ve done for the franchise. Sean Marks has facilitated a myriad of moves to expedite the rebuilding process as quickly as he can, and first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson is doing the best he can with the pieces Marks has given him.
Still, it’s been rough. The Nets simply don’t have the talent to compete with the upper echelon NBA teams, and they routinely get drubbed by playoff-bound organizations. This isn’t their fault. The talent isn’t there, but they go out and compete. And they compete hard. A handful of upsets have been witnessed this year, and it only provides a glimpse of what the future can be.
As a fan, I wholly enjoy watching the Nets take the floor, even if I sound pessimistic when I speak about them. The grittiness and fire they play with is something that resonates with all New Yorkers; their blue-collar attitude is welcome across the five boroughs.
Looking Ahead to 2017
As we hit 2017, the biggest thing the Nets should focus on is cultivating chemistry with their core youngsters. Guys like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Sean Kilpatrick, and Caris LeVert are vital for any long-term success, but they also need to take advantage of the veterans in the locker room and go to them as often as they can.
It’ll be awhile until Brooklyn can contend for a playoff spot, and the first step is Marks gaining ground after inheriting a franchise that was in a deeper hole than Shia LeBeouf after he allegedly stole those sneakers. Ideally, Marks would attempt to trade for a first-round draft pick for 2017, since that class is loaded with talent. Once the free agent period roles around, Marks has carte blanch, essentially, and can use his cap space to pursue a near-max-deal player. Serge Ibaka, anyone?