The Nets’ struggles have been well documented by this column, so we thought we would turn our attention to some of the positives, if only for a week.
You’re probably thinking, “What positives?” and, that is fair. But for the past week, the Nets have shown glimpses of what we thought they would be before the season began — you know, good.
First, there is Brook Lopez’s return.
He missed seven games with a left-ankle injury, so it was great to see Lopez return to action last Friday against the Houston Rockets, when he put up 16 points in 21 minutes (even though the Nets lost). The following day at the Memphis Grizzles, he scored 20 points and grabbed nine boards in a win. His interior presence was sorely missed as the Nets went just 1–6 in his absence, and have already equaled that number of wins in just the two games he has been back.
Simply put, the Nets are a different team — a better team — with Lopez on the floor.
Secondly, thanks to the Nets’ overall putrid play, two afterthoughts in the Frontcourt rotation at the start of the season, Mirza Teletovic and Mason Plumlee, are getting minutes and making the most of them.
Teletovic is shooting the ball right around 50 percent from the field and behind the arc in about 20 minutes per game over his last six. Perhaps more impressive is that he is rebounding the ball well, too, averaging just over five per game in that same stretch. He seems to be much more comfortable with the ball in his hands than he was under Peej (coach P.J. Carlesimo) last year. Plumlee has also shown signs of grit through the first month. Prior to this season, we were not sure if there was a spot on the team for the first-round pick, but he has established himself as a solid bench player.
And lastly, it seems Jason Kidd may have finally broken through to this team.
After a particularly half-assed first half against the Rockets last Friday, Kidd benched four of his five starters for the remainder of the game. The following day at Memphis, they responded with perhaps their best effort all season in a win over the Grizzles. Though still decimated with injuries, it is important Kidd finds a way to get through to his guys. And at least for one game, he appears to have pushed the right buttons.
For as bad as November was for the Nets, there are still some glimmers of hope to point towards as they begin December. Staying positive will be key if the Nets have any chance to turn this thing around.
Tom Lafe is a 6-foot-5 sports-world insider with a middling high school basketball career who believes the Nets will be driven by the success of the team’s big men.
