Ben Simmons has begun taking part in just like the two-way star the Nets envisioned after they traded for him. Kyrie Irving is again from suspension and has constructed up his minutes. Kevin Durant is Kevin Durant. Coach Steve Nash is gone, one scapegoat sacrificed.
The Nets, getting more healthy and theoretically extra highly effective, are about to embark on a prolonged homestand by which lacking standouts or jet lag or the Los Angeles nightlife or Indiana officiating can't be blamed for any losses.
If the Nets are going to comprehend their potential and switch their expertise into victories, there won't be a extra probably time than the stretch of seven video games over 13 days at Barclays Heart towards beatable opponents, which can start Sunday towards the banged-up Path Blazers.
“I feel that is important for our season,” Irving mentioned after a loss at Indiana on Friday dropped them to Sept. 11. “Simply to have the ability to set up some nice habits at house like we’ve been doing, however now we’ll be examined on a seven-game house stretch.
“I’m wanting ahead to simply being in entrance of our followers. However extra essential, being in entrance of our house setting and with the ability to flourish on the market.”
At instances the Nets have flourished, however in spurts somewhat than lengthy stretches. Durant, Simmons and Irving appeared like a title-contending Massive 3 for 3 quarters towards the Pacers earlier than the Nets unraveled, their protection grew holes and so they had been outscored by 17 factors within the fourth quarter.
Discovering consistency has been the issue, and the built-in excuse is legit. Their trio of stars has performed collectively for less than half their video games. Simmons lacked confidence and was not wholesome on the onset of the marketing campaign. By the point he turned the nook, Irving was suspended.
Head coach Jacque Vaughn has shuffled rotations each out of want and out of experimentation to search out teams of Nets who might defend and rebound, which have been weak spots on a staff that has not jelled collectively.
Their hope is that a while to bond, to follow and work collectively in Brooklyn as they acquire energy can rescue a squad that has not been at .500 because it was 1-1.
“This homestretch is attention-grabbing for us to ensure that us to deal with enterprise. You get in that area hopefully the place you get guys to return and you may solidify rotations,” Vaughn mentioned Friday. “That’s what we’re trying to find. We’ve acquired a few of it by getting Ben taking part in extra minutes now. That piece appears to be like prefer it’s fairly solved.”
The complementary items are nonetheless taking form. After offseason ankle surgical procedure, Seth Curry is enhancing, however nonetheless not taking part in back-to-backs. Joe Harris, who additionally had ankle surgical procedure, which ended his 2021-22 season after simply 14 video games, has been a serious disappointment, unable to search out his shot. Yuta Watanabe has appeared like a discover, however has missed three straight video games with a hamstring pressure. T.J. Warren, coming off foot surgical procedure, has but to debut.
“There’s nonetheless some work to be carried out to get to know one another,” mentioned Vaughn, who's 7-6 since taking up for Nash. “However we do want to begin streamlining this factor and get stepping into the appropriate path.”
The Nets will open their homestand towards the Blazers, who will probably be with out the injured Damian Lillard, earlier than dealing with the pitiful Magic on a back-to-back. The Nets received’t play on consecutive days once more through the homestand, which can embrace one energy (the Celtics), a number of strong opponents (Wizards, Raptors and Hawks) and a doormat (Hornets).
“You get a little bit little bit of rhythm,” Vaughn mentioned. “Get an opportunity to observe some movie, get an opportunity to stroll by means of some issues. All that issues. We haven’t had an opportunity to do this on the street simply because we’ve been on the street and making an attempt to recuperate. So hopefully we are able to reap the benefits of that.”
And they should reap the benefits of Durant whereas he nonetheless is likely to be the perfect participant in basketball and is complemented by two legit and distinctive stars. Simmons has morphed into the dear, do-everything-but-shoot star he had not been for a couple of years. Irving has scored at the very least 20 factors in every of his previous three video games and is wanting extra snug.
If the truth ever is to match the theoretical for the Nets, possibly the following seven video games would be the catalyst.
“It’s solely my fourth sport again, so I’m nonetheless getting my legs below me, catching again right into a rhythm. And we’re nonetheless determining lineups,” Irving mentioned. “However I feel as soon as we try this, we’ll be in higher form. I don’t need to maintain coming in [media sessions] and overpromising, however we’re using these video games to determine issues out.”
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