Prior to Friday’s game vs. Denver, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn indicated that he was considering making a change to his starting lineup in order to try to address the team’s recent habit of starting games slowly, according to Peter Botte of The New York Post.
“It is really on me to take a closer look if there is a lineup change that needs to be had to get our group going,” Vaughn said. “Like I told you, I’ve been taking data of this group, how we can get out to better starts.
“… When we dig ourselves a hole, it’s a deep hole, and the mentality of starting the game has to hit first. It’s tough for us to play from behind.”
Vaughn ultimately ended up rolling out his usual five-man group of Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Nic Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Cam Thomas on Friday.
As Botte notes, in Brooklyn’s previous four losses, the team was outscored 121-95 in first quarters, whereas the Nets played Denver to a 28-28 tie on Friday. However, the starting lineup didn’t contribute much to that outcome — the Nets were trailing 18-7 when Vaughn made his first substitution.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Bridges’ recent offensive slump has been a significant factor in Brooklyn’s struggles, Botte writes in another Post story. During the club’s current five-game losing streak, Bridges has averaged just 13.8 points per game and has shot 30.8% from the floor. “It’s just the way the ebbs and flow of the season go. At the end of this thing, I’m quite sure his averages will be where they’re supposed to be, and he’ll be an impactful player like he’s been the majority of this season,” Vaughn said, adding that Bridges has been strong defensively. “You just go through little patches where the ball isn’t going in for you.”
- Dennis Smith Jr. had an immediate impact in his return from a lower back injury that cost him seven games, Botte writes. Smith scored seven points, handed out five assists, and was a plus-nine in 19 minutes during Friday’s loss. “I think his energy and effort are contagious,” teammate Spencer Dinwiddie said. “What he brings on the defensive end is unique to anybody on this roster. He’s an impact player.”
- Examining the Nets’ goals for the rest of the season, Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required) says the team needs to establish some consistency and get some clarity on which players are keepers and which ones could be trade chips.
- After another strong showing against Denver on Friday (13 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks), Day’Ron Sharpe is looking more and more like a player becoming a reliable NBA center, writes Collin Helwig of NetsDaily. Sharpe’s development remains a work in progress, but ideally, Helwig writes, it would follow the template laid out by past and current Nets centers Brook Lopez, Jarrett Allen, and Nic Claxton.
Vaughn should consider ignoring the 2k outrage that will follow, and just get Cam Thomas out of the starting lineup, and add a more complete player. Do it now before more losses pile up. Or don’t and get his resume up to date.
IQ, Grimes, RJ, a few #1’s for Bridges. Let’s see if the Villanova team can win in the NBA as well.
I said this a month ago about getting Bridges. Trade every 1st. Throw in McBride and Sims. Bridges would be the best case scenario for the Knicks. They need a number 1. DeRozan is the second option. Barrett, Quickley McBride Sims and Grimes with picks for Bridges and Giles
DeRozen and Bridges are two very different players. Yes to Bridges, hard no to DeRozen unless it’s for Fournier and very little in the way of draft picks.
We need to keep IQ. No one else to back up Brunson. RJ, Grimes, and 3 firsts (Dal/Mil, and two top-3 protected NYK down the road) might do it.
Wonder if Brooklyn should try go after Zach LaVine. He’d provide them with a good number 1 option on offence but still allow this to be Bridges team. Think he’d do alright paired with Dinwiddie who is happy to play off ball and he’s good size aswell.
Chicago: Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Noah Clowney and 2 seconds
Brooklyn: Zach LaVine and Jevon Carter
Brooklyn:
Dinwiddie LaVine Bridges Johnson Claxton
Carter/DSJ Walker ONeale DFS Sharpe
Chicago then can look to move DeRozan and Caruso as apart of a rebuild aswell
White Thomas Simmons Williams Vuce
For now
Ick. No.