With about five weeks before the Brooklyn Nets open their 2017 season at the Boston Celtics on Oct. 26, the franchise’s new General Manager Sean Marks and Head Coach Kenny Atkinson faced reporters yesterday at the squads Sunset Park training facility with no predictions or promises for the season except steady progress and hard work.
While the team finished with a dismal 21-61 record last season, its hiring of Marks from San Antonio, one of the NBA’s best franchises, and Atkinson from Atlanta, along with the pick-up of point guard Jeremy Lin and keeping All-Star Center Brook Lopez, does give Nets fans at least some pause for wishful thinking, if not optimism.
“The season won’t be measured entirely by wins and losses. It’ll be measured by the progress that’s made throughout the season and the buy-in from our players. Our goals aren’t necessarily six months down the road goals. It’s this next block of five games and asking did we improve from the last block of five games,” said Marks.
Both Marks and Atkinson said they have been very impressed with Lopez’s work ethic during the summer and expect him to continue his quality play and become an even more multidimensional as a player.
“The first thing we’re going to do is to challenge him defensively to improve. Rebounding – I know that’s been a thing in the past – pick and roll defense and we have to find the right scheme that fits him,” said Atkinson. “Offensively – I think it’s with all of these guys – become even more efficient than you are. Taking better shots, getting to the rim more, mixing in some 3-point shots to balance your game.”
In regard to Lin, Atkinson said the point guard understands his role as quarterback of the team on the offensive side of the ball, and is eager to prove doubters wrong on his ability to defend.
“He can be a darn good defender with his athleticism and his competitiveness and I think he feels a little slighted that he’s not considered a better defender, so we need to hold him accountable there. There’s a lot of things, but the last thing is make this team work, make it work on the offensive end and make sure everyone’s touching it and get that right feel of where we have balanced scoring and a balanced team. It’s a heck of a challenge, but he’s prepared for it, I think it’s the right time of his career and I think he’s smart enough and will grow into being a better leader as this thing goes on,” said Atkinson.
Marks and Atkinson also said they were impressed thus far with Coney Island’s Isaiah Whitehead, who was picked in the second round of this year’s draft after a stellar career with Lincoln High School and Seton Hall.
“He’s been terrific. We expect a lot out of him ands he might be thrown into the fire earlier than you expect from a guy like that,” said Marks.
