Despite losing 13 of last 15, the Brooklyn Nets are still improving

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Head Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the game against the LA Clippers at Barclays Center on February 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Head Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the game against the LA Clippers at Barclays Center on February 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of a seven-game losing streak. They have lost 13 of their last 15 games. It looks like they are drowning. But the Nets are still doing better than last year.

The Brooklyn Nets are one game away from matching last year’s record. That’s right. One single win and they tie last year’s record. Granted, the Nets were in the East’s basement last year. But, it’s been a different story for the team this year.

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Brooklyn has gone from having no chance of success to being considered on the fringe of making the playoffs earlier this year. If this squad was healthy, it might be in the playoff chase as we speak. While injuries to Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell hurt the team’s postseason chances, there was a silver lining.

Spencer Dinwiddie and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson both emerged. Joe Harris became a legitimate threat from three-point range. There was even a time where Nik Stauskas was running wild.

Brooklyn seemingly shed its reputation until it began the losing streak. Remember just a month ago, people thought Dinwiddie could be an All-Star. Although the team had not reach the top eight in their conference, it had a clear path for the future: keep on building.

That path was nowhere to be found a year ago. Brooklyn was burdened with bad contracts and a lack of youth. But thanks to the summer of Sean Marks and extraordinary player development, Brooklyn has a chance to get back on track.

But the Nets need to get some momentum going after the All-Star break. Matching last year’s total with a couple months left in the season is great, but the Nets should show some actual improvement.

All of the parts are there. Brooklyn has a serious youth movement going on. The team has some great veteran leaders. All they need to do is translate that into some W’s in the win column.