Brooklyn Nets: Making Playoffs All Nets Have Left

By Greg Chin | Mar 29, 2015

Mar 8, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) and point guard Deron Williams (8) and center Brook Lopez (11) and small forward Thaddeus Young (30) walk onto the court after a time out during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. The Jazz defeated the Nets 95-88. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

With 11 games left to play, the Brooklyn Nets’ dreams of making the playoffs still hang in the balance. The Nets are currently half a game behind the eighth seeded Boston Celtics, and are part of a five team logjam for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference playoff seeds, with every team separated by two wins or less.

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Despite how poorly the season has gone, the Nets still have a chance of a postseason appearance, and should take that opportunity with both hands. It is likely that the Nets will get swept in the first round of the playoffs, but at this point, the fans all need something to celebrate.

The Nets do not own their draft selection next season, with the Atlanta Hawks having the right to swap picks. As the Hawks are likely to end up with either the best or the second-best record in the league, they are a lock for the 29th or 30th pick in the upcoming draft.

You can be sure that that pick is being swapped with the Nets’ pick, making it all the more beneficial for the Nets to make the playoffs rather than tank for a higher draft selection.

The next three games for the Nets are against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Indiana Pacers, and the New York Knicks.

For the Nets to solidify their position in the playoff race, they need to go 3-0 against these teams, especially since they play teams currently in playoff positions over their next six games (Atlanta Hawks twice, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, and Chicago Bulls).

The good news is that the Nets are trending in the right direction. They are 6-2 over their last eight games, and are currently on a two-game win streak. They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, showing their ability to contend with the bigger teams, and won in a closely-contested battle against the Charlotte Hornets (another team in the five-team logjam).

Brook Lopez has emerged as the star of the team since the trade deadline, after he was linked in a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It wasn’t the first trade rumour he’s been linked to, and after his last few performances, the Nets’ fans will be wishing it will be the last time he’s referenced in a trade.

Another player that has been impressing lately is Thaddeus Young. Received as a part of the Kevin Garnett trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves, contract-year Young is averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game with the Nets. He injured his knee in the win over the Hornets, but is only expected to be out for a few games.

He will be a key piece in the final run, and the Nets’ chances of making the playoffs improve significantly when he returns to full health.

The Brooklyn Nets might not present much of a challenge if they make it to the playoffs, but considering how their season has gone so far, it would provide some relief to the suffering fans. With nothing to gain if they tank for a higher draft pick, the Nets might as well go all in and make a final push for the playoffs.

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