Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 12
Next
Dec 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson shouts at his players during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson shouts at his players during the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Charles Daye (@NotTheChuckD)

Reflecting on 2016

I believe the best thing to happen to the Nets in 2016 was the end of the Billy King era. The new regime of Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson want to build a culture in Brooklyn and by all accounts, it seems to be what’s happening. The Nets have no picks, so they turn to the D-League. No “superstars” want to come ? Well, good, Brooklyn is building a Spurs-like culture where they don’t want “me” guys.

I enjoy watching the 2016-17 Nets exponentially more than any point during the 2015-16 season. I wanted the Nets to upgrade at point guard, and going from Jarrett Jack and Shane Larkin to Jeremy Lin and Isaiah Whitehead was just that. I like focusing on the youth the team has, especially Chris McCullough, but I’m particularly impressed by how Atkinson has this team fighting hard every night. The #BrooklynGrit Nets really feel like the foundation of something positive in the future, regardless of the doom and gloom of the draft pick situation.

Looking Forward to 2017

For 2017, the Nets need to attempt to sign players that can immediately make an impact. I believe the Nets need to figure out whether it is best to start Lin going forward and if Whitehead is the future/answer for the Nets at point guard, or do they need to make another move for a floor general. The Nets could improve at every position besides center, and this is a point guard-league.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t want them to try and pursue Blake Griffin in free agency. Other than the obvious names like Stephen Curry, I’d like to see the Nets talk to Jonathon Simmons, Shabazz Muhammad, and possibly Jrue Holiday and Patty Mills. I would like the Nets to try and make moves for Mario Hezonja and Kenneth Faried. They are not free agents, but I believe the Nets could acquire both of them. That’s how much confidence I have in Marks.

By the end of the 2017-18 season, I’d like to see the Nets fighting their way into the playoffs, though that doesn’t seem too likely.