Nets: 3 things we’ve learned about Brooklyn in bubble

Here’s what we’ve learned from the Nets in the bubble so far.

We’d be lying if we said the Brooklyn Nets haven’t surprised us during the NBA restart. After losing several key players, most of whom are starters — including Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, Wilson Chandler and Taurean Prince — fans just presumed the team would mail it in and gear up for a potentially deep playoff run next year with a healthy roster.

That notion was only amplified following Brooklyn’s opening blowout loss to the Orlando Magic.

However, the Nets’ makeshift rotation has since rattled off three wins in four games, a stretch that featured a legitimately historic upset (based on the spread) over the Milwaukee Bucks, who have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Amazingly enough, interim head coach Jacque Vaughn‘s side has jumped Orlando in the standings and currently holds a 1.5-game lead for the No. 7 seed with just two games remaining before the playoffs get underway. A potential first round matchup versus the Toronto Raptors sounds the opposite of appealing, but it’s still mind-blowing to think that Brooklyn has played as well as it has.

With the Nets having officially clinched a playoff berth, now seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the three biggest things we’ve learned by watching them in the bubble thus far.

3. Jacque Vaughn Deserves a Chance

Brooklyn’s decision to fire Kenny Atkinson was expectedly met with vitriol among fans and the media. However, in the subsequent months, it’s become clear that maybe the former head coach wasn’t the best long-term fit. After all, he’s best suited developing a young roster and, following the signings of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets no longer filled that bill.

Ironically enough, Atkinson’s canning might have landed Brooklyn its potential HC of the future in Jacque Vaughn, who flaunts a 5-2 record since taking over the job.

The 45-year-old has clearly impressed the Nets’ front office, and deservedly so, as he’s shown a satisfying knack for making in-game adjustments.

We obviously need to see how he manages the likes of Durant and Irving before we make any bold assertions about his potential, but his showing prior to the stoppage of play — which, if you remember, included an impressive upset win over the Los Angeles Lakers — and in the bubble proves he deserves a chance to assert himself when the two superstars return from their respective injuries.

2. The Bench is Underrated

Brooklyn is pretty much throwing its bench into the starting five each game and, aside from the humiliating defeat against Boston, they’ve been extremely competitive. The Nets’ performance since play resumed has proven that the second-stringers are grossly underrated and deserve more of a chance moving forward.

As crazy as it sounds, there’s been no shortage of players that who have stepped up, most of whom wouldn’t have sniffed playing time if the starters had been healthy.

Substitute signing Tyler Johnson is playing like he deserves a shot next season. Garrett Temple has chipped in with some big games, and the same can surprisingly be said for Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, who has two 20-point games under his belt, as well as Rodions Kurucs. Even undrafted talents like Jeremiah Martin and Donta Hall have offered valuable minutes off the bench.

We’re obviously not advocating for Brooklyn to empty its bench every game next season, but there’s no doubting the coaching staff will have a slew of players to choose from when the team is in need of a spark. That simply wasn’t the case prior to the restart.

1. Brooklyn Doesn’t Need a Third Star

The Nets will obviously be carried by the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving next year and beyond, but their concerning injury history has left fans a little worried and hungry for a third star that could carry the load in the event that one of them gets hurt again.

Unless Brooklyn is trying to build a super (duper) team, trading for or signing a high-profile player to assume that role would be entirely unnecessary and alarmingly redundant. We’re here to tell you that Caris LeVert is that dude.

A plethora of analysts were convinced that the 25-year-old wouldn’t be the same player after suffering a dislocated his right foot back in November. Let’s just say that it’s been gratifying watching LeVert make them eat crow, as his superb form prior to when the season was suspended has continued in Disney.

Tasked with running the offense, the Michigan product has done just that by averaging 21.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 42.7% from the floor.

Caris LeVert has showed out during the NBA restart.

Don’t fool yourselves, Nets fans. LeVert is plenty good enough to be the third star behind Durant and Irving.