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Playoff Picture: Brooklyn Nets

By Luke Duffy

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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Mar 31, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Alan Anderson (6) high-fives teammates during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Pacers 111 – 106. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Alan Anderson (6) high-fives teammates during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Pacers 111 – 106. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Why They’ll Win It All

Look, this team was the best of a pretty bad Eastern conference also rans bunch. If the Pacers and Nets (with fully fit rosters) had to play each other in a best of seven series for the right to be the eighth seed, I’d put my money on Indiana. Ditto if the same process happened with the Miami Heat. This team can’t win a championship.

But what it can do is give teams problems in a number of areas. Johnson is not an All-Star anymore, but he’s big and can get to his spots and score the basketball. Williams would need a time machine to make opponents worry about him, but he’s shown occasional flashes this season that he can produce in small bursts.

Mirza Teletovic is sorely missed; somebody who could have really been an x-factor for this team.

Mason Plumlee works hard on both ends, his youth and motor important in driving this team forward. He’s underrated as a player. In his second season, his numbers continue to tick upwards in the right direction as he grows as a player. Clearly a piece for the future. Just as well, as this team surrendered a nauseating amount of draft picks in various trades to win now.

I do however think head coach Lionel Hollins won’t go down without a fight. His no-nonsense attitude is great to see too.

Jarrett Jack is another player who has seen better days. In his time with the Golden State Warriors, he was brilliant off the bench. He brought a dose of composure and defensive toughness that was critical to the team surviving stretches without their starters.

If that guy could show up again for Brooklyn and back Williams up, they’d have 48 minutes worth of average consistency at the point guard position. His 12 points per game are handy though, but he’s a much better two-way player than we’ve seen this year.

Next: This Team Has Problems On Top Of Problems

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