Playoff Picture: Brooklyn Nets

Apr 10, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles the ball as Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends during first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles the ball as Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends during first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) defends Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) defends Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

For the Brooklyn Nets, this has hardly been a year of huge success and reason to be optimistic heading into the playoffs. In fact, they only punched their ticket to the party as the eighth seed in the East after both the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat fell off late, giving them a clear path to the playoffs on the final night of the regular season.

They’re here now though, and have some interesting pieces that could keep them hanging around longer than people think.

Going all in to win when this team traded for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in 2013 didn’t work out, and with both of those players now gone, it is somewhat ironic that the younger players on this team have stepped up to be key players for this team.

Joe Johnson is still an offensive savant, while Deron Williams still has it all to prove, especially off the back of some unflattering comments from former teammate Pierce.

For more on this year’s playoff picture, click below:

(West: Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans)

(East: Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics)

Next: This Guy Is Rare Bright Spot For Brooklyn