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Brooklyn Nets Facing Pivotal Stretch to close 2017

By Omri Benami

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - DECEMBER 09: Kenny Atkinson, head coach of Brooklyn Nets gestures during the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat at Arena Ciudad de MÈxico on December 9, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - DECEMBER 09: Kenny Atkinson, head coach of Brooklyn Nets gestures during the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat at Arena Ciudad de MÈxico on December 9, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets have surprised some with their 10-15 record to begin this season, despite key injuries. The team will need to show up over the next three weeks to keep their preseason playoff aspirations alive.

There have been ups and downs, but the Nets enter play on Tuesday just 2.5 games out of the eighth seed in the east. They have seen guard Spencer Dinwiddie emerge as a leader and ball handler. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris Levert are coming into their own on the court as well, with all three scoring in double digits, and Dinwiddie having one of the best assist-turnover ratios in the league.

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The bigs, Tyler Zeller and Jarrett Allen, are slowly growing into the system, while the acquisition of Jahlil Okafor will help solidify the group. The Okafor trade could be a season defining moment for the Nets. They will need to clean a few things up in order for that to happen, though.

The Nets are third in the NBA in pace (possessions per game) but are 25th in field goal and three point percentage. What’s more concerning is that the team is second in the NBA in free throw attempts, but 25th in percentage.

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Offensive efficiency is something that the younger players will continue to grow into as they become more comfortable with Kenny Atkinson’s system. But the defense, and ability to hit free throws is more effort and concentration than anything. Atkinson will need the team to improve in those areas over the final 50+ games of the season to be competitive.

The Nets schedule to close out 2017 includes eight of ten against the eastern conference including three crucial games against division foes. Five of the team’s next six games are at home against teams they are looking up at. The first two are against the Wizards and the New York Knicks. If they want to back up their preseason talk, it’s time for the Nets to step up and go on a run.