Candy Hearts for the Nets

Brooklyn Nets

February 14, 2019

2312

Happy Valentine’s (and Galentine’s) day! This unexpected season from the Nets has given fans a lot to love about the team. Brooklyn currently has an 83% chance of making the playoffs, a figure in stark contrast of the team’s pre-season expectations.

Let’s hand out some candy hearts with little messages to our favorite Nets.

I Love U

No one on planet earth deserves more love and affection from Nets fans than Sean Marks. Marks has done an absolutely incredible job turning around the fortunes of this franchise after inheriting one of the biggest messes in NBA history.

Since being hired in February 2016, Marks has time and again accepted this team was years away from serious contention, and continued to play the long-term asset game. It was the only viable strategy for a team looking at a cap nightmare while owning none of its own draft picks.

Managerial Highlights

Hired Kenny Atkinson
Flipped Thad Young for Caris LeVert and a 2nd rounder
Turned Bojan Bogdanovic into the 22nd pick of 2017 and drafted Jarrett Allen
Acquired D’Angelo Russell in a salary dump trade
Acquired a first round pick for taking on DeMarre Carroll’s contract
Flipped Trevor Booker for the Knicks 2019 second rounder (currently slated to be #31)
Drafted Rodions Kurucs in the 2nd round
Acquired Arthur and Faried for a top-12 protected first round pick
Flipped Arthur for Jared Dudley and a future 2nd round pick
Agreed with Joe Harris on a below market contract
Signed Shabazz Napier to a below market contract
Signed Spencer Dinwiddie to a below market contract

Time and again Marks has made the roster younger, acquired future draft picks, and signed players to below market contracts. That is exactly how you work your way out of a disastrous situation. It is long, painful, and meticulous. It is also the only viable option.

As a result, Napier and Harris will be under team control for cheap for another season, while Allen and Dinwiddie will be under team control and cheap for at least another two seasons. The team is at .500 ahead of the All-Star break. D’Angelo Russell made the All-Star roster for the first time in his career.

As a result of Marks’ maneuvering, the Nets now have an ability to open up two max salary slots this summer if they can find a taker for Allen Crabbe’s contract. Luckily, the team is armed with an extra first rounder courtesy of the Denver salary dump to help in the effort to dump Crabbe. Per Zach Lowe: “Keep an eye on the Nets. They have caught the eye of agents representing high-profile players. They are getting ambitious.”

Sean Marks, will you be my valentine?

Sweet Pea

Rodions Kurucs has been a sweet surprise this season after being thrust into the starting lineup due to a rash of injuries. Kurucs has rewarded Atkinson with steady play and hustle. Here’s a look at Kurucs’ report card courtesy of our grading system.

One of Kurucs’ talents is that he absolutely loves jumping passing lanes, and his timing is fantastic.

Be Mine

Is there anything better than a great pass? Luckily for Nets fans, D’Angelo Russell is a crafty passer with excellent vision and touch.

Russell is posting a career high 39% assist rate this season, which is good for 4th best in the league.

Groovy

Speaking of Jarrett Allen, his ‘fro is so groovy he belongs on the cover of NBA Street Vol. III. The constant dunks and blocks help with the grooviness too. While most of Allen’s blocks do come as he stands there while a defender charges down hill toward him, he has the short area quickness to erase what one would believe to be an open layup.

Tubular.

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