Brooklyn Nets: Ranking The 5 Best/Worst Moments of 2012-13

Take a look at the five best and worst moments from the Brooklyn Nets’ 2012-13 season. (Image from i.cdn.turner.com)

Prior to being ousted from the 2013 NBA playoffs by the Chicago Bulls, the Brooklyn Nets had some memorable moments from the 2012-13 season.

They also had some not so memorable points from this season.

That said, I’m highlighting the five best and worst moments from the Brooklyn Nets’ 2012-13 campaign.

Let’s jump on in.

Best

5. Overtime Win Against Knicks

Impinging on the New York Knicks’ territory, it was important for the Brooklyn Nets to come out and win their first matchup with their crosstown rivals.

The Nets earned a 96-89 overtime win over New York in their first meeting of the season on Nov. 26, as Brook Lopez went for 22 points and 11 rebounds.

The win was one of three intriguing meetings between the two Atlantic Division squads.

4. Seven-Game Win Streak

From Jan. 2 to Jan. 15, Brooklyn strung together seven consecutive wins, pushing its record to 23-15 when it was all said and done.

The streak was impressive because it marked the longest win streak of the season for the Nets, and it was partly due to head coach P.J. Carlesimo taking over.

The Nets notched quality wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers during that stretch, proving to be a contender in the NBA.

3. Joe Johnson’s Game Winners

Joe Johnson may not have had the best year in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets, but he sure was clutch.

Johnson provided Nets fans with a plethora of unforgettable moments from the 2012-13 season, sinking clutch shots against the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and most notably, the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs.

Although the Nets didn’t win that game, Johnson was the definition of clutch in Game 4 against the Bulls, hitting two floaters at the end of overtime to push the game to a second OT period.

2. P.J. Carlesimo’s Hot Start

After a rough start to the season under Avery Johnson, Brooklyn promoted assistant P.J. Carlesimo to head coach, and the Nets responded.

Brooklyn won 12 of its first 14 games under Carlesimo and established themselves as a top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Carlesimo would finish 35-19 at the helm of the Nets and lead the franchise to its first playoff appearance since the 2006-07 season, but it wasn’t enough, as Carlesimo was unable to keep his job after Brooklyn was bounced from playoff contention by the Chicago Bulls.

1. Brook Lopez’s Maturity

Brook Lopez’s maturity this season should have Brooklyn poised for big things in the future. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

After a summer of wondering whether he’d be traded in favor of Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez responded by submitting the best season of his young career. 

The 25-year-old center had his best all around season, averaging 19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. Not only was Lopez the Nets’ most reliable scorer, but he was a shot blocker and rim protector.

Lopez’s understanding of Brooklyn’s schemes and his role as a leader this season show that he’s ready to be a franchise player in Brooklyn.

Worst

5. Matchups Against Quality Opponents

The Brooklyn Nets had some impressive wins against quality opponents this season—a solid 17-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 2 comes to mind—but the Nets need to improve against the better teams in the NBA.

Brooklyn was just 15-27 against teams with records of .500 or better, including 0-3 against the Miami Heat, 0-2 vs. the San Antonio Spurs and 0-2 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Only the best of the best make the postseason, and if the Nets can’t beat above average teams, an NBA title won’t be coming to Brooklyn anytime soon.  

4. Gerald Wallace’s Entire 2012-13 Season

Gerald Wallace’s dismal season should have the Nets looking for depth at SF. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

To say that Gerald Wallace has been a bust for the Nets would be an immense understatement.

The 11-year veteran averaged a mere 7.7 points per game and added just 2.6 assists per game to Brooklyn’s offense. Wallace shot just 39 percent from the floor and was a dismal 28-percent shooter from beyond the arc.

Wallace’s dismal performance combined with the lack of depth at the small forward position should result in the Nets selecting a SF in the upcoming draft.

3. Blowout Loss to San Antonio

P.J. Carlesimo’s first loss as head coach of the Nets turned out to be the worst of the season for Brooklyn.

The Nets suffered a 31-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 31, as the scoreboard showed a 104-74 lopsided loss for Brooklyn.

What’s even worse was the Nets’ production in the third quarter, as they were held to a mere five points in the quarter and shot just 38 percent for the game.

2. Losses to Miami Heat

If the Nets want to make a run at an NBA championship, they’re going to have to beat the best, and that’s something they didn’t do this season.

In three meetings with the Miami Heat this season, Brooklyn went 0-3 and lost by an average of 21 points.

The Nets allowed LeBron James to have his way against them, as the MVP averaged 21.7 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists per game while shooting better than 55 percent from the field and 66 percent from three-point territory.

1. Game 4 Playoff Loss to Chicago Bulls

The Brooklyn Nets’ ousting from the 2013 NBA playoffs was disappointing as a whole, but the Game 4 loss to the Bulls was the ultimate back breaker.

Brooklyn led by 14 points with less than four minutes in the fourth quarter, but Nate Robinson and the Bulls quickly trimmed the deficit and thrust the game into overtime.

Despite the clutch shooting of Joe Johnson, the Nets lost 142-134 in triple overtime and would go on to lose the series in seven games.

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