May 1, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Jarrett Jack (0) and Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) and Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) and Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) during a time out against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter of game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Brooklyn Nets
Last Year’s Outcome: 38-44, L, First Round
Best-Case Scenario: Make Playoffs
Why: There’s no way around it – the Brooklyn Nets benefited from an extremely down year on the part of the Eastern Conference. They haven’t been great over the years, but even for them, last season was putrid for the conference overall. Though, their loss was Brooklyn’s gain.
The Nets made the playoffs and tested the Atlanta Hawks by taking them to six games. Although, after returning essentially the same team from last season, except for Deron Williams, the Nets will now have to overtake a healthy Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers team in order to return to the playoffs. That’s unlikely to happen, but that’s the goal.
Worst-Case Scenario: Miss Playoffs
Why: After re-signing Brook Lopez this past summer, the thought is that he’s still good enough – and can be healthy enough – to continue to be the center of a franchise. Though, that will be difficult to continue to live by if the Nets would miss the playoffs a year after nearly pulling off an upset over the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks.
What Will Probably Happen: Miss Playoffs
Why: I don’t expect the Nets to make the playoffs. As currently constructed, I have them as the 10th or 11th best team out East. I’m just not a big fan in what the Nets have been doing over the last few seasons. Sure, they may have freed themselves from Deron Williams, but if Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez are your best players, you aren’t going very far.
Next: Charlotte Hornets