Brooklyn Nets: 2016-17 End Of Season Roundtable

PHIL WATSON GRADE. B. On paper last fall, this looked to me like about a 20-win team. Atkinson led it to 20 wins, despite only having Lin for 36 games and losing <strong><a rel=. Kenny Atkinson. Head Coach

B+. That Atkinson committed to his motion offense because of its value to the Nets’ future, as I mentioned earlier, is a significant component of this grade: he has the Nets playing a championship caliber style of play (with lesser players, of course). Multiple young Nets also exhibited improvement, which does reflect well. It is true that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson stalled developmentally and required a position change to unlock more skill later in the year. However, the pendulum has swung too far on judging coaches for player development. A few years ago, many smart NBA media came to the discovery that too much credit for the development of young players has been attributed to GM’s for drafting them; some coaches develop players better than others. However, it appears that we have taken this discovery too far, to the point that the failure of players to develop is pinned on coaches. Some young players do not develop because they either do not work hard enough, or do not have it in them. RHJ clearly works his tail off, but as for his offense, he may fall into the latter category. With so many players taking strides under Kenny, it would not be fair to ding him for RHJ’s deficiencies. That being said, where Kenny gets dinged this year is the 20-62 record: he needed to push the team into the 30s win wise, for an A range grade.. Kenny Atkinson. Head Coach. JUSTIN SALKIN GRADE

BRYAN FONSECA GRADE. B. Man, Atkinson is going to be very good. He gets it. He’s very progressive and seems to really excel in player development. He also enjoys it too so that obviously helps. All the players will vouch for him as well. I’m not a grader, but sure, let’s say ‘B.’ The Nets seem to have the right people in place to build this thing up. This will be an interesting few months for you Net fans, so get ready!. Kenny Atkinson. Head Coach

B-. He handled himself well, the offense is modern and the defensive scheme is consistent with the rest of the league. The reason I hedge is because beyond Brook shooting threes, I didn’t any of those, “Oh wow, the light bulb just turned on” moments from the team.. Kenny Atkinson. Head Coach. JAIME OPPENHEIM GRADE

JONATHAN GRIGGS GRADE. C+. The Nets went through some brutal stretches during the season, and the fact that they didn’t mail it in speaks volumes of Atkinson’s leadership. Additionally, the development of certain players (i.e. Spencer Dinwiddie, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, & LeVert) was very encouraging to see for a team that will needs to unearth talent from unlikely sources. This team is not far off from being fully respectable and competitive in the Eastern Conference, and with some good luck in the health department next year, 35-40 wins is not out of the realm of possibilities.. Kenny Atkinson. Head Coach

B-. Call me crazy for my semi-positive mentality but, let’s say B-. You can’t blame a coach for the roster he was given. This is no attack on Sean Marks or the players. We were practically starting from scratch. This is why I give Kenny some higher praise than most. He’s been experimenting while staying consistent on his system. I don’t think he’ll hit a sophomore wall next season. He didn’t let injuries or rookie HC mistakes destroy the team. As King Aragorn once said in Return of the King,A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day.” Basically you shouldn’t count out Kenny and his Nets.. Kenny Atkinson. Head Coach. DOUG BEARAK GRADE