As we continue to look at the Memphis Grizzlies’ opponents for next year, let’s look at the Brooklyn Nets? Will they be better than they were last season?
Well, we know the Brooklyn Nets were pretty bad last season. They officially took the Sixers’ place as the league’s laughingstock.
I know why you should be laughing. They traded three future unprotected first-round picks for aging superstars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. With hopes of “winning a title,” they couldn’t get past LeBron and didn’t have a future. The Nets gave Boston two top-3 picks – one going number one – with another lottery pick on the way next year.
Instead of nabbing guys like Jamal Murray, Markelle Fultz and – eventually – Michael Porter Jr. or Marvin Bagley, they’re left with zero incentive for losing.
Despite all this, Sean Marks came in early 2016 and has made a team with no future look somewhat promising. They dished out Thad Young, Andrew Nicholson, Justin Hamilton and Brook Lopez into D’Angelo Russell, Timofey Mozgov, Caris LaVert, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe.
While they’re pressed with cap room, they’ve transformed this team into something meaningful. Russell still has All-Star potential, and Carroll and Crabbe are solid two-way wings.
They may not make the playoffs, but they’ll become a team you can’t laugh at.
Through their roster improvements, can they give the Memphis Grizzlies trouble? Is this matchup an easy win for the Grizzlies anymore?
Starting 5
PG – Jeremy Lin
SG – D’Angelo Russell
SF – DeMarre Carroll
PF – Trevor Booker
C – Timofey Mozgov
Advantage for the Grizzlies
- Mike Conley
The Brooklyn Nets do have Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell – two solid NBA point guards – but neither have the defensive chops to keep up with Conley. One of them might score 25 points, but they’ll give up 35 on the other end. For the Memphis Grizzlies to make this an easy win, All-Star Conley needs to come out. You know who I’m talking about? The Mike Conley that drilled 3’s in people’s faces, broke ankles and possessed oodles of confidence:
Yeah, this Mike Conley.
- Depth
The Memphis Grizzlies only have this advantage a few times. While Brooklyn did add some talent this summer, they still have fringe players on the bench. You can make an argument that the Grizzlies’ young players are better than theirs.
Because of this advantage, veterans like Tyreke Evans, Brandan Wright and Ben McLemore have to capitalize. If the bench gets outplayed, this match-up will become somewhat difficult.
Advantages for the Nets
- Shooting shots.
If anyone is given the green light, it’s the entire Brooklyn Nets team. They launched 31.6 three-pointers a game last season – good for fourth in the league. However, they had a bottom-five percentage – 33.8 percent. This offseason though, they added legitimate 3-point threats. Allen Crabbe shot 44.4 percent from downtown, the second-best percentage in the league. Then, DeMarre Carroll (36.1 percent career 3-point shooter) and D’Angelo Russell (35.1 percent for career) are average shooters and will certainly have the green light.
If the Nets get hot from deep, it’ll spoon-feed confidence to this young team.
More from Grizzlies News
- Dillon Brooks speaks out after beating former Grizzlies teammate in World Cup
- Jaren Jackson Jr. puts ex-Grizzlies teammate on notice
- 3 players Grizzlies would consider trading Ja Morant for
- Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. put on blast following FIBA elimination
- Ex-Grizzlies guard signs with title favorite, joins forces with 6-time All-Star
Closing Remarks
The Brooklyn Nets will be better this year. No question about that. However, it doesn’t change the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies shouldn’t lose to this team.
The presence of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley should be too overwhelming for the Nets to overcome. Therefore, this matchup will come down to the Grizzlies’ supporting cast.
Can they do just enough for the Memphis Grizzlies to cruise past the Nets?