With, arguably, the best roster in the NBA, it’s no surprise that the Brooklyn Nets are juggling enormous expectations this season. Even without Kyrie Irving, every expectation is that this team will reach the Finals.
Still, with just days to go before opening night, head coach Steve Nash did his best to temper expectations, telling the media that the team still has a long way to go before they reach their potential.
“There’s expectations and pressure and honestly, we got a long way to go. I feel like we’ve been on the court [together], practices and games, probably like 15 times. So this is the type of thing that’s going to take a long time for us to be a finished product.
But can we get out to a decent start? Can we play at a decent level to start? Can we manage some of the shortcomings of a short camp early and a lot of new players? Guys still trying to get into conditioning? That would be great,” Nash told reporters, via the New York Post.
Nets' Steve Nash already trying to lower expectations https://t.co/UiNwdSJ4rm pic.twitter.com/DkqTcK9AsU
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) October 16, 2021
Last season, the Nets hardly got any run time together, mostly due to the various injuries that plagued the team. By the time the playoffs arrived, only Kevin Durant was fully healthy and ready to perform.
Now, before even playing a single game, Kyrie Irving is set to miss the season and the rest of the team is having to deal with the fallout from his controversial decision.
Between the limited amount of time they’ve had together and the distraction Kyrie has been, it’s understandable that the Nets come out a bit lethargic out of the gate.
The hope is that with time, patience, and the exceptional talent they have available, the Nets will be able to come together as one and show the world they’re even better than everyone thinks they are.
We’ll see soon enough what they’re able to do.
