At the end of the 2017-18 season the Brooklyn Nets finished with a 28-54 record… this season their record is currently 39-40, and are pushing for an important playoff spot.
The work that has been done as a group collectively has not been credited enough but this week good news was brought to air when it was announced that Kenny and the rest of his staff were negotiating contract extensions with the Nets.
With reason to believe the future is only going to get brighter, here’s an in-depth look at what Coach Atkinson has brought to the Brooklyn Nets.
1. A New Brand of Play
Of course, every coach will have their own brand of play but Kenny seems to have found a brand of play in Brooklyn that just suits this team to a tee. It’s not the finished article yet but in a few more years if they can keep the key parts of their jigsaw, this team can really start to push for that all-important championship.
2. Bringing the Best Out of the Youngsters
Players like Jarrett Allen and Rodions Kurucs have really benefitted under the influence of Kenny Atkinson and it’s been evident as this season has gone on how much they are improving game by game and are starting to show their potential. With a young squad plus some key vets like Jared and DeMarcus, Kenny seems to have found a very good balance in the side.
3. Memorable Moments
This season has seen a lot of highs and lows and along this run, there have been some unforgettable moments that have been created that will live long in the minds of the Brooklyn Nets faithful. Games such as that epic win over the Rockets and the winning stretch that helped feed our playoff push. If an extra 2% can be added next season then the Nets look in good shape to become a very good eastern conference side.
4. Trade Picks
The Brooklyn Nets now have two potential trade picks in the first round.. More promising rookies coming through the ranks will only be positive for the Nets. They also could have the 1st pick in the second round as well so with 3 picks it could be an exciting few years for Brooklyn who look to train their rookies under the experience of the coaching staff and the vets in the team.
5. The Motivation
The buzz that the coach brings is second to none. It’s been evident from his very own press conference, pre and post-game but also some of his players have said some very good words about the 51-year-old. Players like D’Angelo Russell and Joe Harris have admitted and stated that Kenny has improved their overall game and the team’s performance.
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