The Brooklyn Nets started the 2014 by naming Lionel Hollins the new head coach after Jason Kidd left to go be the Milwaukee Bucks coach in exchange for two second-round draft picks for 2015 and 2019. Jason Kidd's time as head coach is not very memorable besides his court battle with a DUI and he ended up destroying his relationship with management when he asked for more power over the team. Once Lionel Hollins was named head coach, Fred Mangione was named the Chief Operating Officer (COO). Lionel Hollins also named Paul Westphal, John Welch, Tony Brown, Joe Wolf and Jay Humphries assistant coaches and Jim Sann assistant coach/advance scout.
There were no player signings or releases throughout the early part of the season until January when Brandon Davies was released and April with Earl Clark was signed to a multiyear contract.
The Nets ended the season 38-44 (.463) with a home and away record of 19-22. Within the division they were 10-6 which put them ahead of the Indiana Pacers. The Indiana Pacers lose in Wednesday night's game ultimately sealed the fate of the Brooklyn Nets for the eighth seed in Eastern Conference. The first and eighth seed play each other in the first round of the NBA playoffs so the Nets will be playing the Atlanta Hawks, who were 60-22 in the regular season.
The starting five for the first game against the Atlanta Hawks will probably be Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, Markel Brown, and Thaddeus Young.
Joh Johnson (Number 7) went to Arkansas and is being paid $23,180,790 for this season, his thirteenth season in the NBA. Brook Lopez (Number 11) went to Stanford and is being paid $15,719,062 for this season, his sixth season in the NBA. Lopez has been with the Nets his entire career, but has had some set backs due to foot injuries. Deron Williams (Number 8) went to Illinois and is being paid $19,754,465 for this season, his ninth season in the NBA. Markel Brown (Number 22) went to Oklahoma State and is being paid $507,336 for this season, his rookie season. Thaddeus Young (Number 30) went to Georgia Tech and is being paid 49,410,869 for this season, his seventh season in the NBA.
During the regular season, Brook Lopez had the highest average points per game of 17.2. Joe Johnson and Thaddeus Young had the second and third highest average points per game.
Brook Lopez had the highest average rebounds per game with 7.4. Mason Plumlee and Thaddeus Young had the second and third highest rebounds per game.
Mason Plumlee (57.3%), Brook Lopez (51.3%), and Thaddeus Young (46.6%) had the highest field goal percentages.
Jarrett Jack (88.1%), Deron Williams (83.4%), and Bojan Bogdanovic (82.1%) had the highest free throw percentages.
Deron Williams led the team in assists per game and three-point field goal percentage. Thaddeus Young led the team in steals per game.
Based on these statistics, we have a good team, but will we make it through the playoffs? I dont know. I can hold out hope though.
What's your favorite NBA team up to? How did they perform this season?
