With the return of the NBA unknown canceling the remainder of the season is a possibility that can’t be overlooked. Where does this leave the Brooklyn Nets?
It’s been over three weeks since the Brooklyn Nets last played a game, a hard-fought road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Many would agree it has been the longest three-plus weeks of their life, at least during the NBA season.
The league announced on March 11th immediately after the positive test result of Rudy Gobert, for coronavirus that it would be suspending their season. As the first league to make that executive decision, the NBA set the standards for the major sports. When commissioner Adam Silver appeared on Inside the NBA, he announced the league’s hiatus would last a minimum of 30 days.
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A few days later the Center for Disease Control (CDC) crushed the idea of a month-long hiatus. The CDC recommended that social gatherings over 50 people be canceled for the next eight weeks. As things stand now it’s likely to be longer still before the league can even reasonably consider returning to action. At this very moment this indefinite wait seems like forever, but moving forward will provide the best-case scenario for the return of live sports.
With the optimistic timetable of two months for a return on the table, the league would be in a difficult spot. Normally during the middle of May, the league is in the middle of the playoffs. Instead, if play were to resume, the NBA would be faced with a decision. The league could either have teams play more regular season games or jump straight to the playoffs.
Transitioning from the optimism of the season returning to the season being canceled outright. The 2019-2020 season would not crown an NBA champion and the teams would finish the season with their respected records and positions in the standings.
More importantly, the cancellation of the season affects the hard-working part-time employees at the Barclays Center. The likes of security, vendors, and ball boys assist to make the experience at the game worth the price of admission. For that reason alone they deserve to be acknowledged and accounted for. The Nets did just that by joining the rest of the league and paying their employees.
A note from the Nets and Barclays Center regarding all the incredible people that make our arena experience so special. pic.twitter.com/gPYtwYBD3U
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 14, 2020
So, what would the NBA canceling the season mean for the Brooklyn Nets? Well, it would signal the end of an underachieving and injury-riddled season. Multiple injuries to key players like Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan and their lack of playing time together applies instant pressure for next season.
Team chemistry is vital. The only way of establishing team chemistry is by playing together as a unit. With the team dealing with injuries all season long, coach Kenny Atkinson was often faced with difficult tasks of running out consistent starting line-ups and rotations.
To add to the chaos of this season, just days before the season was suspended, the Nets fired Atkinson and replaced him on an interim basis with assistant coach Jacques Vaughn.
One thing is certain: The Brooklyn Nets should be in serious consideration for a championship run with a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. In all honesty, if the season were to return in June or July (or later) the Nets could be a daunting squad in the postseason.
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The constant reminder of Durant and Irving playing together in Brooklyn should bring optimism to a fan base that has not experienced recent playoff success. The franchise has not appeared in the NBA finals since 2003. One important factor to remember to consider, when the team finally plays as a complete unit their two best players will be returning from injury.
The team should be active come this offseason. The window for the franchise’s first NBA title is now. With Irving and Durant in place, the team will be in pursuit of a third star. Players like Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards and Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans are names that have been brought up in trade talks.
With the options that are there for trade, the Brooklyn Nets should consider free agency. One name that would fit perfectly and can play the four spot would be Toronto Raptors‘ power forward/center Serge Ibaka. Over this past summer, Durant and Ibaka discussed the idea of teaming up and competing for a championship. With Durant in Brooklyn for the next three years, it will be up to Brooklyn’s front office and Ibaka to reach an agreement.
While it would only take money to sign Ibaka, the team is faced with decisions for the rest of the roster. Sharpshooter Joe Harris is set to be a free agent and Brooklyn should do everything it takes to re-sign Harris. If the team were to pull off a trade for either Beal or Holiday, players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, and Jarrett Allen would be top candidates to be dealt.
This upcoming off-season should be just as important as the last. In order to have a championship team, all 15 players will have to play a role at some point during the season. Depth is essential and will play a major role during both the regular and postseason.
The option to return to game action without fans seems to be gaining the most traction. While playing in front of an empty arena would be odd at first, it is the best and fast-track alternative for the league to return sooner rather than later.