Brooklyn Nets already making strides with slow and steady rebuild

Better days are ahead for the Brooklyn Nets, but it’s crucial they take their time and, as they say in Philadelphia, trust the process.

An entirely new regime was brought in last summer to helm the Brooklyn Nets. Sean Marks got selected as the new general manager, while former assistant coach Kenny Atkinson was the choice for head coach.

In their first year, the two did everything possible for the team to succeed, but losing at this stage was unavoidable. A couple of years back, the future of the organization was compromised by a particular executive, and I promise you I’m not bitter about it.

What makes the present enjoyable is that the Nets have some talent to build around. The core is young, and they’re only going to get better. Guys like Isaiah Whitehead and Caris LeVert were noticeably improving as the 2016-17 season progressed, and the same goes for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Sean Kilpatrick, among others. Even with an 11-15 record post All-Star Break, the Brooklyn Nets finished 20-62 overall — last in the league.

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For franchises that are rebuilding, that’s not too bad. They end up with an early pick in the lottery and the chance to land a potential star. Nope, not the Nets. That GM I mentioned worked out a not-so-favorable deal, and the Boston Celtics are going to swap picks with Brooklyn this June. The Nets do, however, have a couple of picks at the end of the first, thanks to Marks, but not having the same chances as other lottery teams hamper their rebuild a bit.

Brooklyn doesn’t own their first-round pick until 2019. In the meantime, they can make deals that net them more selections, but that means exchanging bodies and not many of the Nets’ players have much value.

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The reason for that is most of their guys — outside Brook Lopez and Jeremy Lin — are unproven. This is a good thing. Brooklyn has no expectations to be competitive for a couple of years. In that time, whether it’s three, four or five seasons, guys will have the opportunity to grow and reach their full potential.

Rushing through the rebuild is going to limit that. Speeding up the process would mean guys would have to do things they’re not ready to do and put them in positions to fail. Young players need to be encouraged to make mistakes; to face adversity so their game and confidence can grow. Because a lot of the rotation is inexperienced, that’s dangerous to the team just as much as the players.

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If Atkinson went to Whitehead and told him only to make the safe play, he wouldn’t grow as a decision-maker, and everyone would wonder what he’s capable of because he’s not trying new things.

Fortunately, the team’s headed in the right direction. None of the coaches have outlandish expectations, and Atkinson and Marks have been vehement in their stressing of a great culture to play in. For a raw talent like Archie Goodwin, that’s great. He needs some of the most work on the team, and it’s going to take time for him to develop fully.

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The mid-90s Chicago Bulls didn’t build their dynasty in a day. As much as I’d like to see the Brooklyn Nets have that kind of success, it’s unlikely. However, the thesis remains: patience is more necessary than anything else.