Three reasons why the Nets might surprise — and why they may disappoint
Nets guard Ben Simmons looks to pass against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA preseason game at Barclays Center on Oct. 16. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Three reasons the Nets might surprise
1. Ben Simmons stays healthy: Simmons has looked great in the preseason in terms of speed, explosiveness and facilitating. If he keeps this up, the Nets have an elite point guard to make things easier and a premier perimeter defender to pair with Mikal Bridges.
2. Elite defense: With Simmons, Bridges, Nic Claxton and Dennis Smith Jr., the Nets could emerge as one of the league’s best defenses to compensate for lack of shooting. It might lead to some ugly games, but it also might help them steal a few wins against contenders.
3. Cam Thomas’ growth: He can score with anyone but if he learns to channel that within the team concept, he’ll help add a few wins. If he improves as a playmaker for others, he’ll be a bigger spark for the Nets' offense and emerge as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Three reasons the Nets might disappoint
1. Ben Simmons is limited: Simmons stays healthy but isn’t the 16-17 ppg scorer he was to start his career. As a result, the Nets’ offense stagnates more often than excites despite Bridges’ brilliance.
2. Shaky bench play: Thomas and Lonnie Walker IV bring scoring and Dennis Smith Jr's defense is a bonus, but if they get little help from their fellow reserves, it won't be enough to match the firepower of deeper teams.
3. Rebounding gets worse: The Nets’ rebounding-by-committee approach fails to make up for the issues from last season. With a lack of size, the Nets could fall back to being one of the league’s worst rebounding/second-chance point teams again.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
