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Debunking Three Misconceptions About the Brooklyn Nets

By Sandy Mui

Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) celebrates with Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) and Brooklyn Nets point guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) celebrates with Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) and Brooklyn Nets point guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) celebrates his game winning buzzer beating shot against the Detroit Pistons with teammates during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) celebrates his game winning buzzer beating shot against the Detroit Pistons with teammates during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Misconception No. 2: The Nets aren’t a competitive team

The Nets are actually a competitive team, with 20 wins on the season and the worst record in the NBA? Surprise surprise, yes.

A 20-62 record is nothing to be proud of, especially since that was what was expected of the Nets even before the season began. But, the Nets should pat themselves on the back for never giving up and for always showing fight in many of their losses in the 2016-17 season.

MUST READ: Breaking Down Surprising Wins, Losses of 2016-17

Their competitiveness has also rewarded them with some rather surprising wins, and stretches of wins, in 2016-17. Who could forget the double overtime victory over the Clippers, when Sean Kilpatrick reincarnated as some superhero in a Marvel movie? Or the Nets’ March Madness, when Brooklyn won an astonishing seven games throughout the entire month? Or even the Nets’ late-season status as “playoff dreams crushers,” when they beat formidable opponents such as the Hawks, Pistons and Bulls?

Atkinson can be credited for making the Nets a bit more respectable than just the team with the worst record in the NBA. In fact, “competitive” was one of the characteristics he listed for the kind of team he wanted this season, in a Q&A with the New York Post prior to the season.

"“Competitive. Unselfish. Fun to watch. If you go to Brooklyn, you’re gonna be entertained with the way we’re playing. You’re also gonna come out saying, “Man, that’s a competitive group of guys. That’s a program that’s building, you can feel it.”"

MUST READ: 5 Worst Games of 2016-17 Season

Despite racking up just 20 wins in his first season as a head coach, Atkinson was rather successful in cultivating a competitive team. Those who have kept up with the Nets at some point in the season would notice that this team was extremely different than the 2015-16 Nets, even if the 2016-17 Nets had one less win.

All third quarter woes, fourth quarter woes and second half meltdowns aside, Brooklyn was manageable to watch for the duration of a season. Their perseverance was a large reason why.

Get used to Brooklyn Grit, it’s here to stay.