Brooklyn Nets: Special Bonds are being created within the team

The Brooklyn Nets aren’t picked to win many games by analysts. With that said the team will rely on it’s chemistry to help them open some eyes this season

On a beautiful September Friday in Brooklyn, a new fashion collection has been unveiled. The fashion line known as, “Brooklyn Cool,” was shown off to basketball and fashion fans alike. Barclays Center is the home of this unveiling as hundreds of people check it out at the Nets revamped ‘Swag Shop.’ The collection is special and important to this Nets team for many reasons. The main reason however is because Nets forwards Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and DeMarre Carroll are the minds behind it.

This apparel collection represents more than Brooklyn however. This represents more than Nets basketball. The lifestyle apparel represents the bond that this Nets team has created.

In just a few months with the team, Carroll has already made his presence felt, on and off the court. With the impact of his veteran leadership apparent on the court during the preseason, he looks like he will be more than a Salary Dump. The impact he has had off the court is apparent now with the ‘Brooklyn Cool’ apparel line now available for purchase.

The bond that this team has is special and the reason they have the ability to open eyes this season. This team spends endless amount of time off the court together. The family-like atmosphere Sean Marks preaches is major and the key to the team’s success going forward.

Not only did we see Hollis-Jefferson and Carroll start a fashion collection, the entire team took a trip to Annapolis, Maryland for the team’s annual training camp.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson knows the importance of chemistry. He knows that with his team preaching ball movement this season, this could be a chemistry builder for them.

"“We learned how to sail,” Atkinson said. With a smile, he added, “It was a low wind day, so we were blowing the sails. That’s the hardest part . . . I guess it’s easier with wind.”"

For the first time the team’s training camp took place at the Naval Academy. In 2013 and 2015 the Nets training camp was also on the road at Duke University. Duke was of course the alma mater of former Nets GM Billy King during his playing days.

These activities help the team spend time together and get to know one another better which is huge. When fully healthy last season, the Nets won 11 games from March 1st to April 8th, oppose to the 9 they won from October through February. So with a roster that finally seems to embody the culture and style the team is looking for going forward building off the strong finish can only help.

Atkinson now though is using every opportunity handed to him to help improve this team and build up the chemistry. Atkinson has brought his up many times including just recently. After a minor injury to Allen Crabbe that lasted less than two weeks, Atkinson spoke on the chemistry building process and how this would affect it.

"“Honestly this is a setback,’’ Atkinson said. “Again, lack of continuity. You want to see him with different lineups … especially with a new player. So we’ll do the best we can showing him stuff. But it’s not the same.”"

This speaks miles about Atkinson and just how much he values the team’s bond and the process of building chemistry. Atkinson obviously knows the team he’s coaching isn’t the most talented. That’s the reason coach Atkinson and GM Marks have preached chemistry and hard work to outplay talented teams.

Now with the season approaching, we will get the chance to see if this Nets team does in fact have chemistry. After a 34-point blowout of the Knicks on October 8th, Nets Guard Jeremy Lin had this to say.

"“We’ve invested a lot of time in being a tight-knit group. I don’t know how much time, but for so many new faces, we have spent a lot of time around each other and with each other."

With an impressive 3-0 start in the preseason the Nets looked like a completely different team. The team’s average margin of victory was exactly 20 points. While it’s only preseason, that’s an impressive for a team that only won 20 games the season before. When asked why he thinks the Nets have played so well, Lin also commented this:
“We’re almost too unselfish at times. It’s a fine balance, but I would much rather have it in this direction, where we’re just moving it, swinging it and guys are getting excited for each other. That’s what team sports are all about.”

These quotes from Lin are like music to a Nets fan’s ear. This is a complete 180 degree turn from the type of Basketball the Nets played just two years ago. With the team finally healthy it will be interesting to see how this team plays together, especially after acquiring a ton of talent over the summer.

"“We’ve got a lot of talent, especially at the wing position,” forward Caris LeVert said. “We’re going to be fresh when we get on the court. We can bring as much energy as possible. Kenny did a great job getting the right guys, and we’re just learning how to play with each other right now.”"

With the season approaching quickly this is a much different Nets team. Some players who were starting for this team last year will now be fighting for playing time. That speaks miles about the job GM Marks did to acquire talent over the summer.

With that said, many aren’t sure what to make of the Nets. Will they open some eyes and be the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference? Or will they find themselves injured yet again like they did last year?

Many Nets fans are hoping this isn’t the same story we’ve heard just on repeat. After years of asking, ‘what if?’ maybe this time around, the Nets can finally show they won’t be dwelling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference for much longer.