What Nets can take from 2023 NBA playoffs into next season

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Brooklyn’s postseason was short lived thanks to a sweep at the hands of one of the East’s top contenders, the Philadelphia 76ers. Little more could have been expected from a Nets team completely restructured mere months ago and largely in that position thanks to the stars no longer present on the roster.

Still, there are some things to glean as they move towards this new transitional era. Perhaps the biggest one being who they’re going to rebuild around.

While it’s unclear exactly what direction the front office wants to move in from here, who they’re moving forward with has all but been cemented. Though it didn’t come with the result they wanted, the Nets should be pleased with what they saw out of their homegrown pieces and the Kevin Durant trade haul during these playoffs.

Mikal Bridges took an immediate step forward upon arrival, becoming the team’s number one option. His efficient 26.1 points per game across 27 Nets games assured onlookers he was the right core tenant of that deal, and his postseason performance validated that.

Bridges opened with a monster Game 1, scoring 30 points on 12-18 shooting from the field, 23 of which came in the first half. The Sixers adjusted accordingly, slowing him down for the rest of the series.

Still, he managed to put up 23.5 points per game against a tough Philly defense, leading his squad. If he can keep adding to his playmaking and inside scoring, he may truly be able to command that lead role.

The breakout series came from Cameron Johnson, the other young asset picked up in the Durant trade. He looked far from a throw-in however, scoring 18.5 points per game on 50.9 percent shooting from the field and 42.9 percent from deep.

Johnson evolved in front of our eyes as a movement shooter and one that can make defenses pay for over-contesting. In Game 2 he erupted for 28 points on 5-11 shooting from three, showing he can contribute at the next level as more than a complimentary piece.

Story continues

It can’t be helped that Bridges and Johnson are the two best bucket-getters on the roster at this point, but they held their own despite the odds. That’s a very…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nets-2023-nba-playoffs-next-144122105.html?src=rss

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2023-04-29 14:41:22

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