Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from upsets over Jazz and 76ers

By Collin Helwig

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 29: Joe Harris #12 of the Brooklyn Nets high-fives teammate Jarrett Allen #31 during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on January 29, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Brooklyn Nets defeat the Chicago Bulls 122-117. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 29: Joe Harris #12 of the Brooklyn Nets high-fives teammate Jarrett Allen #31 during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on January 29, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Brooklyn Nets defeat the Chicago Bulls 122-117. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 07: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends during the second half at Barclays Center on January 07, 2021 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

1. Nets Learning to Play as a Team

With Durant and Irving collectively averaging a league leading 55.3 points per game, a growing narrative that the depth which the Nets formerly boasted about no longer exists became quite popular after the team dropped to 3-4. LeVert, the team’s assumed “third star,”  struggled the most notably to provide relief for 7/11, shooting 38% from the field before this week.

Landry Shamet also drew criticism, especially after an 0-for-9 game against the Charlotte Hornets, which led to the team’s first loss this year. Even bubble standout Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot experienced some irritating inconsistencies while shooting the ball, especially from three. Without a doubt, the Nets missed Spencer Dinwiddie’s presence as a depth piece, who stood as a rock for the team over the last five years and is now out for the season with a torn ACL.

But with Durant and eventually Irving off the floor, Brooklyn’s less-talked-about players caught fire against Utah and Philadelphia. LeVert and Harris lead the way, with the pair averaging 42 points per game during the two contests. The Nets flashed their roster’s versatility, especially against the 76ers, corralling an incredible 53 points off the bench en route to victory.

With the team having demonstrated how deep their team runs after winning games with ease even while missing their star players, the Nets just need to learn how to best apply said depth alongside the Durant/Irving punch. Although these two elements for Brooklyn have yet to operate compatibly together, the re-emergence of Harris, LeVert, Allen, Green, and Prince cannot go ignored, nor can the talent which we all know Durant and Irving still wield.

The Nets just need to figure out how to tie it all together, which remains a good burden to bear, as it leads one to believe that Brooklyn’s most productive days as a team still lie ahead us. Under a rookie head coach, that might take some time, but surely seems worth the wait once it is accomplished.