Nothin' But Nets
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There is still a long way to go for the Brooklyn Nets

By Shane Rabacs

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the game between the Washington Wizards and the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets are in a free fall at the moment. After winning two games in row on Jan. 19 and 21, Brooklyn has lost four straight, the last three games not being particularly close. These games were against playoff and fringe playoff teams. While great strides has been made over the last two years, the Nets still need to progress greatly to become a real playoff threat.

Kenny Atkinson’s system preaches “pace and space.” Any player on floor should theoretically be a threat from anywhere on the floor. But the Brooklyn Nets don’t have the players to effectively run this system.

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None of the Nets big men are threats from downtown.  The only real threat is Quincy Acy, who is shooting 34 percent from three this year. Say what you want about Acy, but he is the only big man who can actually space the floor. That’s why he plays as much as he does. It is obvious that Sean Marks needs to find some more big men to stretch the floor as Brook Lopez did last year.

Minnesota, Milwaukee and New York all have a paint presence that Brooklyn doesn’t have now. Giannis Antetokunmpo poured in 41 points and 13 rebounds on the 26th.  Karl Anthony-Towns put up 16 points and 19 rebounds on the 27th. To top it all off, Enes Kanter has a 20 and 20 game on Tuesday night.

Brooklyn has been getting dominated inside for the entire year. To be a serious playoff contending team, the Nets big men have to better than they’ve been this year.

Of course, there have been many positives: the rise of Spencer Dinwiddie, the continued progression of Caris LeVert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jarrett Allen’s impressive play. Not to mention injuries have hurt the two of the best players on the team, Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell. The return of Russell will provide some help, but to say that this team is a move or two away from even a playoff spot is WILDLY off base. Simply put, they aren’t that good, and there is still long way to go

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