The Brooklyn Nets have turned things around, but need supporting cast to step up

Winners of eight of their last nine entering Friday’s visit to Toronto, the Nets have zoomed through a weak middle class in the Eastern Conference to a coveted top-4 spot, and one game behind No. 3 Cleveland at 17-12.

That’s an encouraging record considering they opened the season with five losses in seven games until Steve Nash was fired on Nov. 1. Despite also losing that night to the Bulls to fall to 2-6, they’ve gone 15-6 under replacement Jacque Vaughn, including last week’s win in Indiana with seven rotation regulars out of the lineup either due to injury or the dreaded load management designation.

So what does all of this mean for the final four months of the regular season, and does this recent stretch bode well for the Nets’ stated intention of vying for the first NBA championship in franchise history?

It certainly does, at least barring a catastrophic injury to MVP candidate and rescinded trade-seeker Kevin Durant — or Kyrie Irving failing to steer clear of further controversy after missing two-thirds of last season due to COVID vaccination non-compliance or getting suspended and missing eight games earlier this year for refusing to apologise for promoting an anti-Semitic film on his social-media accounts.

The two All-Stars are averaging nearly 37 minutes per appearance apiece for the season, however, making them the only two teammates logging that much playing time through Wednesday’s league action.

Vaughn probably needs to monitor and lower those numbers as the season progresses, especially if Brooklyn continues to establish itself near the top of the playoff pecking order.

Now that the Dec. 15 barrier making off-season signings available for trades has arrived, expect GM Sean Marks to continue seeking to add another scoring option and proven rebounder — such as Hawks forward John Collins, in whom the Nets are reportedly interested. Atlanta thus far has not been equally interested in a deal involving Joe Harris, according to The Athletic. The sharpshooter has nailed 16 of 27 (59.3 per cent) from 3-point range over his past six appearances after connecting on just 31.8 per cent in his first 20 appearances following two ankle surgeries last season.

The returns of Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton earlier this week, with veteran wing Royce O’Neale also slated to rejoin the team Friday in Toronto, lengthens Vaughn’s roster. But depth players such as Patty Mills, Cam Thomas, Edmond Sumner and Day’Ron Sharpe showed their worth and readiness in stealing that win Saturday night in Indiana.

The Nets’ remaining strength of schedule through Tuesday ranks as the sixth-easiest (.493 opponents winning percentage) in the league, according to Tankathon.

Still, 13 of their next 18 games will be played on the road through Jan. 25, so check back with us after that stretch to reassess whether the Nets are legitimate contenders in the East.

– NY Post