The Brooklyn Nets have been bludgeoned by bad luck. Injuries have robbed the team of seeing their full potential as a unit. Despite being dealt such a bad hand, the Nets have been steadfast in rebuilding their way.
It seems the Brooklyn Nets aren’t destined to have things break their way this season. Just when momentum seems to be getting built, something inexplicably happens to take any momentary joy away.
D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin looked like a duo that can help the Nets sustain success this season. The pair played just one full game before Lin had his season ended with a horrific knee injury.
Russell then looked poised and capable of being the guy in Brooklyn by himself. He upped his scoring average to over 20 and helped close out games for the Nets with clutch play. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, he was also bit by the injury bug. His season hang in the balance as well as we await clarity on his situation.
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All of this bad luck has slowed down the Nets rebuild. At least that’s how it seemed.
Despite not being able to see his team grow on the court together, Kenny Atkinson is staying the course with this rebuild alongside Sean Marks.
You want proof? Look no further than Joe Harris.
Harris missed most of last season, his first in a Brooklyn uniform. In fact, Harris has been on the shelf for a good portion of his NBA career since 2016.
It was the 2015-16 season that saw Harris play in just five games before being traded and cut. Despite being on the ropes and his future being unclear, Harris was given a chance by Marks.
He responded by shooting 39 percent from the field last year. This year he is shooting as efficiently but raising his output totals. He is shooting nearly five 3-pointers a game and is putting up 10 points per game as well.
Harris is giving Brooklyn more value than his veteran’s minimum deal. He is also contributing to the team’s identity by outperforming the low expectations set for him.
Harris is an unheralded name. He is also a face of the Nets’ current rebuild. Very few things for right for Brooklyn, but so far Harris is proving that patience and a belief in the system (Harris is a prototype for Atkinson’s 3-point heavy motion offense) is what rebuilds need in their earliest stages.