After An Atrocious Season Last Year, the
Nets Make it to the Playoffs With Fourth Seed in Eastern Conference
By Ali Koskoris
Last season, the
New Jersey Nets, coached by Avery Johnson, went 22-44 and were 12th
in the Eastern Conference. This
season, the Brooklyn Nets have gone 42-31 under new head coach P.J. Carlesimo
and are fourth in the Eastern Conference.
 |
| AP Photo/ David Zolubowski |
In an incredible
transformation, the Nets are actually a contender in the playoffs, after having
one of the worst records in the NBA last season. Maybe the turnaround has something to do with the new coach,
the addition of Reggie Evans, or the new location—either way, the Nets are
doing something right.
Recently the
team has been a bit unpredictable, going 8-7 in the last month, but certain
stars have been shining. Deron
Williams continues to lead his team, averaging 18.3 points a game and 7.7
assists. In his last game he
scored 21 and dished out 11 assists for a double-double in a loss to the Jazz.
Brook Lopez is
averaging 19.2 points and 7 rebounds for Brooklyn. Against the Jazz he scored 27 points and pulled down 7
rebounds. In the Nets’ last win
(against Portland) he scored 28.
New Nets player
Evans has been making a huge difference on the boards. In each of the last two games, he has
pulled down 16 rebounds. Against
the Trail Blazers he pulled down a career high 26 rebounds, including 12
offensive rebounds. Portland as a
team only pulled down 13 offensive rebounds. He also tied his career high in points with 22.
Brooklyn is
coming off of two losses heading into a game against the Cleveland
Cavaliers. If the Nets pull it
together, win, and continue to win, they will be in good condition for the
playoffs.
This could mean
wonders for Carlesimo, who is currently the interim head coach after Johnson
was fired partway through this season.
Brooklyn’s record and high level of play seems proof enough that not
only is Carlesimo capable of coaching the Nets, but at coaching them well and
leading them to the best season they have had since the
2005-06 season. Maybe he will
return next year and that ugly “interim” will be slashed.
