The Nets’ season, which has revitalized the laughingstock franchise and energized Brooklyn basketball fans across the borough, ended with a meager performance after a 122-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5, which eliminated the Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
It was a humbling loss for the gritty Nets, whose fight gradually dissipated from game 1 as they reverted back to an almost unrecognizable sub 500 team in the loss.
“My guess is we come out fighting like lions,” expressed head coach Kenny Atkinson before the game. “That’s what we’ve done all year.”
But last night, the squad didn’t come close to performing like they’ve done all year, and from the start of the first quarter, Brooklyn’s season seemed about done. The Nets missed 14 of their first 15 shots and turned the ball over five times as the 76ers took a forceful 23-2 lead.
“I was just so disappointed in our shot selection to start. Our first six shots were just uncharacteristic. Now, credit their defense—I thought they were locked in, I thought they were swarming us. We really couldn’t get by them,” said Atkinson.
The Nets shooting struggles continued in the second frame with Brooklyn shooting an appalling 26.1 percent in the first half as Philadelphia took a commanding 60-31 at halftime.
Across the board the Nets struggled mightily and their offense never got going after their surprising game 1 victory.
D’Angelo Russell was virtually put in handcuffs by Ben Simmons who locked him up all series. On Tuesday Nets All Star point guard shot 3-of-16 from the field. Russell, despite an incredible breakout season, shot a paltry 37 percent from the field against the 76ers.
Likewise, Joe Harris came into the postseason with one of the best seasons for any reserve in the league––averaging 14 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 47 percent from behind the three point arch–– however against the Sixers he was deadweight. Harris never got going and shot 37 percent from the field and a sad 19 percent from behind the arch.
Brooklyn’s shooters were ineffective and with the Nets offense relying so heavily on their three-point shot it was no surprise they were ousted in 5 games. Collectively the team shot 32 percent, but that number does not tell the full story of how difficult the 76ers made it for the Brooklyn to get high percentage shots.
“We couldn’t find space, to get off a decent shot. They just really forced us into poor, poor shots,” said Atkinson. “I think that started, then they got out in transition. It was kind of good night Irene after that.”
It wasn’t all bad for Brooklyn though.
Caris LeVert stood out on this young Nets roster, playing like a seasoned veteran. The third-year swingman who suffered a gruesome injury in November finished the night with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. For the series, LeVert averaged 21 points on 48 percent shooting from the field and 56 percent from three. It was as if he was the only one with something to prove in this series. Throughout the series, he just seemed ready for the moment, and ready to carry the load for a team that couldn’t.
“You just got to be locked in for the full 48 minutes every single game. Can’t take any plays off. You’ve got to do all the little things necessary to win every game,” said LeVert.
Regardless of LeVert and his efforts the Nets just couldn’t beat the 76ers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have some hope in the future. They just have to keep chipping away.
And with several big-name free agents on the market, and the Nets having money to spend under the salary cap, Brooklyn could very well have one of the NBA’s elite teams next year.
