{"id":4726,"date":"2017-02-26T11:28:57","date_gmt":"2017-02-26T16:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=4726"},"modified":"2017-02-26T11:28:57","modified_gmt":"2017-02-26T16:28:57","slug":"brooklyn-nets-post-all-star-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/02\/26\/brooklyn-nets-post-all-star-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooklyn Nets Post All-Star Break Outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The All-Star break came and went, as did the NBA trade deadline. Many players changed teams. Every team tried to improve its roster, either immediately or in the future. Now that this\u00a0period is complete, it&#8217;s back to basketball. For the Brooklyn Nets, the journey to respectability continues. This is the Brooklyn Nets post All-Star break outlook.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Brooklyn Nets Post All-Star Break Outlook<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Changes to the Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>General manager\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/marksse01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sean Marks<\/a><\/strong> was clear about his ambitions through the trade deadline. The goal was to try to improve the league&#8217;s least talented roster. With the off-season looming, Marks and all Nets fans were acutely aware that the Boston Celtics held the right to swap picks with the Nets in the upcoming draft. Furthermore, the roster badly needed an infusion of energy and hope for the future. With that in mind, Marks placed all Nets players on the trade market. His major goal was to secure at least two first-round selections for star center <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lopezbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brook Lopez<\/a><\/strong>. He also wanted to secure at least a first-round draft pick for any other starter.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Nets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Nets<\/a> complete trade with Wizards; acquire first round draft pick. More &#8211;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/CFB8ChR7TO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/CFB8ChR7TO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrooklynNets\/status\/834581135283847173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 23, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Though it was sad to see fan favorite <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bogdabo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bojan Bogdanovic<\/a><\/strong> go, this was a welcomed move by Marks. Bogdanovic was in the last year of his contract and would command a sizable salary increase.\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nichoan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Nicholson<\/a><\/strong>, Bogdanovic&#8217;s\u00a0replacement, will be under contract for the next few seasons. He is a power forward with the ability to shoot from long distance. After being a non-factor for the Wizards, Nicholson embraces the opportunity afforded to him.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;I&#39;m excited to be a part of the organization. It&#39;s a blessing and a great opportunity.&quot; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nicholaf44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@nicholaf44<\/a> on joining the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Nets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Nets<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vBO2mXTBUY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/vBO2mXTBUY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrooklynNets\/status\/834840227797688321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 23, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>At the proverbial buzzer of the trade deadline, Marks acquired another piece\u00a0for a small price.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">DETAILS: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7FY7SWrC3H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/7FY7SWrC3H<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrooklynNets\/status\/834920801476431872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 24, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Both <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdankj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">K.J. McDaniels<\/a><\/strong> and Nicholson will suit up immediately for the Nets. Hence, they are expected to contribute to the re-building effort. Marks seemed\u00a0philosophical about the moves made. These moves did not happen in a vacuum. Tim Bontemps of the <em>Washington Post<\/em> graded the transactions as A and A-, respectively. Of the\u00a0Wizards deal, Bontemps wrote:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/sports\/wp\/2017\/02\/20\/grading-the-nba-trade-deadline-deals-pelicans-steal-from-kings\/?tid=a_inl&amp;utm_term=.c02dd82ab9fd\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8220;getting another first-rounder in a good draft is reason alone to praise this deal for Brooklyn.&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sean Marks: \u201cAt the end of the day, I think we got better\u201d at deadline. <\/p>\n<p>WATCH: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rBpYrX3Chk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/rBpYrX3Chk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrooklynNets\/status\/834878871384252417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 23, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>More Good News<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/linje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Lin<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is\u00a0fit and finally ready to go. Lin is thrilled to be back. He has been injury-plagued all\u00a0season. Most of all, Lin is\u00a0hopeful that his hamstring issues are behind him.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;This team needs to feel what it means to win and build a winning culture. My only goal is to get as many wins as we can.&quot; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JLin7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JLin7<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Nets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Nets<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LAbD7TaTSJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/LAbD7TaTSJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrooklynNets\/status\/834556152390246405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 23, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Coach Stays on Message<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;Keep playing hard. We&#39;re excited to see Jeremy back &amp; get some momentum going into next season, see who plays well with who.&quot; Coach | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Nets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Nets<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1FLSAfED9c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/1FLSAfED9c<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrooklynNets\/status\/834556033976643584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 23, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Especially relevant is the fact coach <strong>Kenny Atkinson<\/strong> has been on message throughout this campaign. It is most noteworthy\u00a0that as a leader, Atkinson is\u00a0process-driven as opposed to results-oriented in his approach. He continues to help mold this unit and forge its identity. Consequently, the oft over-matched Nets have played hard for him every night. Atkinson rarely shows his emotions to people outside the Nets&#8217; inner circle. The results have not always shown that, but Atkinson&#8217;s work has not gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Stretch Run<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As the team heads into the final stretch of the season, there is some good news for Nets fans. Lopez, their star center, was not traded, so he&#8217;ll remain a Net through the end of the season. Along with the return of\u00a0Lin, Lopez will be\u00a0expected to lead this team. Also, McDaniels and Nicholson will\u00a0be key pieces in the stretch run. The bad news? The post-break schedule begins with a grueling eight-game road trip. This trip commences a mile high against the Denver Nuggets and ends with a stop in Dallas to face the Mavericks. The work and progress continue for the Nets.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/629856396\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/629856396?et=lHKxKyEIQRh9flPUpHM52A&amp;viewMoreLink=off&amp;sig=oFKjBiPEfyeube68THfbtsH_o712Zf76YQ87WNayj4Q=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The All-Star break came and went, as did the NBA trade deadline. Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the Brooklyn Nets post All-Star break outlook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":466,"featured_media":4772,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,62],"tags":[761,65,237,231,232,767,236,96,235],"class_list":["post-4726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nets","category-nba","tag-andrew-nicholson","tag-basketball","tag-bojan-bogdanovic","tag-brooklyn-nets","tag-jeremy-lin","tag-k-j-mcdaniels","tag-kenny-atkinson","tag-nba","tag-sean-marks"],"modified_by":"Lior Kozai (Managing Editor)","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/466"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4726\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}