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Brooklyn Nets rumors: Nets lowering expectations for Kevin Garnett?

By Andrew Melnick

May 2, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Kevin Garnett (2) reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the first half in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Kevin Garnett (2) reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the first half in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets had high hopes for the 2014 playoffs after dealing for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and even though they defeated the Toronto Raptors in the first round, their second-round exit, a loss to the Miami Heat in five games, was a disappointment. Now with Pierce, Shaun Livingston and Andray Blatche moving on, they will need bigger contributions from other players. That includes Garnett, who had the worst season of his career last season.

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Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders believes the Nets will be lowering their expectations for Garnett this season.

"Many expect the 2014-15 campaign to be the last in a certified Hall of Fame career for Kevin Garnett. The 38 year old forward averaged, by far, the lowest point total (6.5) of his career last season and at one point was shooting below 40 percent from the floor.The lethal combination of age and injury have been the primary drivers of Garnett’s decline but with expectations lower Brooklyn headed into training camp maybe, just maybe, the aging forward can show a few glimpses back into a long gone era – when he dominated the league."

Garnett, 38, averaged just 6.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 44.1% from the field and 80.9% from the free throw line during the regular season. In the postseason, he only went for 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 52.4% from the field and 73.9% from the charity stripe. In his historic 19-year NBA career, the fifth-overall pick in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft has put up 18.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 rebounds per game while shooting 49.7% from the floor, 27.7% from beyond the arc and 79.0% from the foul line.

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