Fansided

Raptors, Rockets among NBA teams that will regress in 2014-15

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 1, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) drives to the net past Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Rockets 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) drives to the net past Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Rockets 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8), center Brook Lopez (11), power forward Kevin Garnett (2) and small forward Paul Pierce (34) react on the bench against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 107-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Brooklyn Nets

This may just be founded in my personal disappointment with Deron Williams’ career, but before you judge me for putting the Nets here, bear the following in mind: 1) I’m not a Utah Jazz supporter, so “bitter fan with a personal vendetta” doesn’t apply here, 2) We’ve seen D-Will regress a little bit with each passing year since he left for Brooklyn, including last season, during which he put up the lowest numbers since his rookie season and 3) He’s coming off double ankle surgeries. And this is the guy supposed to lead the Nets in 2014-15?

Truth be told, the Nets will never take the next step until Deron Williams can stay healthy and is ready to lead, two things he hasn’t been able to do since leaving Utah. Call it the Curse of Jerry Sloan, call it bad luck, call it coach-killer karma, call it what you want. But when Brooklyn’s two best players — D-Will and Brook Lopez — are this injury prone, I don’t think I’m alone in thinking the Nets will be lucky to make the playoffs next season.

In the past three seasons, Lopez has played a grand total of 96 games. The Nets just lost their head coach, their veteran leader Paul Pierce, their underrated backup point guard Shaun Livingston and a versatile offensive big in Andray Blatche. They found a quality new coach in Lionel Hollins, but their most significant offseason addition to the roster was Jarrett Jack, who had a terribly underwhelming year with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Does that sound like a winning formula to you?

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