Brooklyn Nets Week 16 Outlook: The Slide Can't Stop
Feb 5, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) shoots the ball while falling in front of Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
If there is anything to take away from this season, it’s that the Brooklyn Nets are insanely good at being able to disappoint their fans. Every time it seems like there is some sliver of hope in this mess of a season and something to look forward to, they manage to disappoint.
ICYMI: Last Week’s Outlook
Well, last week didn’t go as I expected. I thought that the Brooklyn Nets would find a way to turn it all around and give their fans something to watch, but I was very wrong about that. They have now played in 51 games, but have yet to pick up their tenth win, which is disappointing to say the least.
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It seems like every week I say that this will be the week the Nets will get their tenth win, but it just never is. This week is different though. I know it sounds like every other week, but I am 100 percent sure the Nets will win this week.
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Unfortunately, it won’t be so easy with the injury of Caris LeVert. We finally got to see him on the court in his first start as a Net, though he had perhaps the worst game of his short career. He will start this week injured on the bench, joining Jeremy Lin, who still has an unknown return date, and Quincy Acy.
Not only that, but the New Orleans Pelicans have been eyeing a trade for Brook Lopez. If that happens, expect the Nets to continue to play like this for awhile. As much as I love watching him play, a trade is necessary.
With four more losses last week, the Nets’ losing streak hits nine, and the things to look forward to start to dwindle. With a win next week though, there could still be something worth watching.
Jan 21, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Ramon Sessions (7) reaches in to steal the ball from Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. The Hornets won 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Like I said, one win can turn things around for the Nets. 10 wins look so much better than nine at the end of the day. Just having double-digit wins looks so much better than falling short of that. Reaching 10 wins can be a huge confidence boost for the Nets, and that’s exactly what they need right now. There are so many winnable games here though, so hopefully they’ll pull off at least one win this week.
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Brooklyn Nets @ Charlotte Hornets
The home court is going to be the biggest factor in this game. Though on a seven-game losing streak, the Charlotte Hornets have been a pretty solid team, going 15-10 on their home court, while falling short in most games away with an 8-18 record. If the Nets were playing on their home court in this game, I would put my money on them, but unfortunately, the Hornets are actually a decent team at home.
Prediction: Nets drop this game to a struggling Hornets team.
Washington Wizards @ Brooklyn Nets
I really like the Washington Wizards this season. I have loved John Wall for so long, but the Wizards have never been a team that jumped out at you like some of the better teams out there. However, Wall has taken this team to a new level, now sitting at third in the Eastern Conference. With how hot the Wizards are, it’s unlikely that the Nets will come out on top no matter where they play this game.
Prediction: Nets hit a wall and lose tough game to Wizards. *Pun intended*
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Miami Heat @ Brooklyn Nets
I got this one wrong in their last appearance together, but this might actually be the time the Nets win. They are on their home court and match up pretty decently against a very hot Miami Heat team. All teams need to slow down sometime, and they’ll slow down by the time they face the Nets.
Prediction: Nets win in a very close game and handle the heat against Miami. *Another pun intended*
Feb 5, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) reacts after a backcourt violation during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
With trading Brook Lopez looking more and more possible as we reach the end of the season, it’s time to start looking at other players to step up for the sake of this franchise. With what seems like 90 percent of the team on the bench, there are only a handful of players that can truly take the reigns and step up this next week.
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Players To Watch For: Bojan Bogdanovic and Sean Kilpatrick
Does this really surprise anyone? If I had to choose any player to take the reigns and become the leader of this organization, I would pick either Bojan Bogdanovic or Sean Kilpatrick. At least with them, the team would be in good hands. Both have gotten off to a pretty hot start to February, putting up 14 and 13.3 points per game respectively. If the Nets are going to win any games this week, it will be because of these two studs.
Player Who Needs To Step Up: Caris LeVert
Caris LeVert won’t be on the court to start off the week, but I felt that it was necessary to put him on the list after blowing his first chance as a starter. If you play for 30 minutes and only put up four points, then odds are that you’re doing something wrong, so hopefully he can find success the next time he steps on the court. It’s just a shame to see someone with such potential struggle like he did against the Indiana Pacers.