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Brooklyn Nets: Week 23 Stars and Slackers, A Special Edition

By Darnell Gilet

Apr 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; ZZZ Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; ZZZ Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-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 /

Superstars

Sean Marks

The end of this season is a breath of fresh air.  Dealt the worst hand possibly in NBA history, Sean Marks trusted the process.  He acquired a late first-round pick for Thaddeus Young, which resulted in a young starter in Caris LeVert.  He made the most of a second-round pick with Isaiah Whitehead. Through the D-League, he got strong prospects in Sean Kilpatrick and Spencer Dinwiddie.  And, he was able to turn Bojan Bogdanovic into a second first-round pick in a stacked draft.

MUST READ: Analyzing Potential Draft Prospects For the Nets

Early in the season, none of this mattered.  However, over time, it is clear this team has pieces that fit perfectly together.  Acquiring talent is one thing.  Acquiring talent that makes sense together is completely different.  Just ask Phil Jackson and Gar Forman.  With a strong end-of-year showing, the main person Nets fans must thank is Sean Marks for showing New York fans how a proper franchise is run.

Kenny Atkinson

Kenny Atkinson is almost done with this nightmare.  However, similar to Marks, he trusted the process.  Through injuries, trade rumors, restricted free-agents being pulled away and hopelessness in Brooklyn, the light is finally starting to shine through the clouds.

MUST READ: Nets Must Stay Competitive as Season Winds Down

Despite the Nets’ record, one thing is for sure.  Kenny Atkinson can flat out coach.  It has taken him all season to build an identity, but through that, the team has always played hard.

This week, Atkinson had the Nets do something many other NBA teams fail to do regularly: beat teams you are supposed to beat.  In the beginning of the season, the Nets were the team others were supposed to beat.  Now, the Nets are no longer at the bottom of the league in terms of rankings, even if they are at the bottom for record.

Next: Looking at 2017 Free Agent Small Forwards

In a week where the Nets are on a three-game winning streak, Atkinson receives the praise.  If he can somehow find a way to play spoiler for the Bulls and Celtics, his legend would expand.