There’s no sign identifying the street off Route 17 in Bergen County, N.J., where the Brooklyn Nets have their training facility. None of those walking in the area knew the street’s name. They had no idea. Is this the street? Which way do you go? This confusion sort of reflects the Nets’ 2015-16 season.
Veteran coach Lionel Hollins, who turned 62 Monday, in his second season with Brooklyn, will need his years of experience in guiding this team throughout the season. There will be a higher level of player dependency. Who will he install to fill out the nucleus of Joe Johnson, the second highest paid NBA player this season at $24.9 million, and Brook Lopez (center) and Thaddeus Young (forward), who were re-signed over the summer. Lopez was a 2008 Brooklyn draft pick at $60 million for three years, and Young was acquired in a trade last season at $50 million for four years. Both have a player option in the final year of their new deals.
In addition to resigning, Lopez has also taken the initiative to become team leader, the go-to guy. “I feel like I have to be the leader,” said the eight-year veteran. “I feel like I’ve grown into the role.”
Although Brooklyn has been on the decline for the past two seasons, it’s too early to start predicting wins and losses. A sixth-seeded playoff team in the 2013-14 season, Brooklyn barely qualified as the last, eighth-seed team in 2014-15, finishing 38-44. Taking the first-place Atlanta Hawks to six games in the first round of the playoffs proved that there is talent on this team, despite not advancing.
Will they hold at eighth this season, move up or decline further? A lottery pick. With Brooklyn’s payroll and luxury taxes now lowered, there’s potential to obtain free agents in the offseason, this coming summer, but until then, the regular season beginning next Wednesday, Oct. 28, at home against the Chicago Bulls, is Brooklyn’s focus.
