Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 season primer: Building their way to relevance

By Mason McFee

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets and Isaiah Whitehead #15 look on against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Barclays Center on November 29, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets and Isaiah Whitehead #15 look on against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Barclays Center on November 29, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 09: Randy Foye #2 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a jumper over Derrick Rose #25 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 9, 2016 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 09: Randy Foye #2 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a jumper over Derrick Rose #25 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 9, 2016 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Key Additions and Losses

I think it’s safe to assume that if someone came up to you right now and asked if you wanted the good news or the bad news first, you’d opt for the latter; so that’s where I’m going to start:

Loss #1: Randy Foye

Thirty-three percent from deep, 5.2 PPG, and a 36.3 FG% probably aren’t going to go help make my case for why losing Randy Foye is a bad thing, so we won’t focus on those numbers – because they don’t apply.

When the Nets added Foye to their roster last offseason, not many paid attention to the move. No one asked for much analysis on it. But Foye’s comments still stick with me today, and I wish I could find the exact words, but Google has failed me; so you get my SparkNotes version instead!

More from Sir Charles In Charge

Foye was asked why he chose Brooklyn, because, as a veteran, he had to at least be considering joining a team that’s at least a little closer to contending; and the rumors were that some of those types of teams had come calling. His response was that he bought into the culture that Atkinson was building, and even if it was for one season (which ended up being the case), he wanted to give it all he had. There aren’t a lot of players like that left in the NBA, so it’s a shame he’s still a free agent.

Loss #2: Brook Lopez

While it was time for Brook to go, it’s a shame that he had to.

Brook Lopez was in every trade rumor related to the Nets. If you don’t believe that’s the case, go ahead and Google ‘Brook Lopez trade rumors’ and click through the first couple of pages – believe me now?

Here’s something from an article that came out prior to the start of last season from nba.com:

"Three arenas, three general managers and nine coaches have come and gone since Lopez was drafted in 2008. None of it has fazed Lopez, who is the embodiment of steady – scoring around 20 points per night – and devotion, staying loyal to the only NBA team he’s ever known."

Despite another head coach coming into town, he bought in, took the newest batch of young players under his wing, and played his butt off until he was mercifully traded to an up-and-coming Lakers squad that will greatly value his newfound ability to be a stretch-5. We’re all pulling for you Brook, good luck.

Home/Brooklyn Nets