Brooklyn Nets: 3 Takeaways from win over the Chicago Bulls

#1) Vaughn gets his first win with Brooklyn

Though it’s unlikely he survives a summer brimming with uncertainty, it was nice to see Jacque Vaughn’s maiden game as the coach of the Nets result in a victory.

He hasn’t had it easy as an NBA coach, entering Sunday’s game with a record of 58-158 after two and a half seasons of lackluster basketball with the Orlando Magic. But after serving the last four seasons as the Nets’ assistant, you have to applaud the man—he did deserve it.

Speaking of the Magic, it’s imperative that this initial win does not result in any form of complacency. Orlando is just 0.5 games behind Brooklyn for the seventh seed, so Vaughn is going to have to string some victories together to keep his former team at bay. There is plenty of work to be done in these final 19 contests.

Per Tankathon, the Nets have the ninth-hardest schedule from here on out with multiple games against the Bucks and Clippers still yet to have been played; they’ll also have to deal with the Lakers and Celtics one more time each.

To make matters worse, the Magic have the fifth-easiest schedule from here until the opening round of the playoffs. Securing that seventh seed could be the difference of facing a historic Milwaukee Bucks squad destined to play in June or a potentially hard-fought series against the likes of the Raptors or the Celtics—where the Nets might be able to steal a game. 7

One thing is for certain: if Vaughn wants to leave a lasting impact on Sean Marks and the remainder of the front office, winning helps.