NBA Power Rankings: The Grizzlies are in trouble
24. Brooklyn Nets
For a team that has settled into the bottom third of the league, and is lacking the draft picks that making being this bad worth it, the Nets had quite an eventful week.
First up, the Nets took on the Cavs and came close to not only beating the Cavs, but hurting the Cavs’ odds of landing a top prospect (or really good trade chip) in next June’s draft. But then LeBron James happened, scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter when the Nets just had no chance of stopping him. Trying hard, and knowing where to be in a defensive scheme, only took them so far.
Then, after Thanksgiving, the Nest handed the Grizzlies an eighth straight loss and forced some uncomfortable conversations for the Grizzlies. Did Brooklyn effectively end the Gasol era? It’s far too early to tell, but credit due to the Nets for continuing to play hard and and battling even when they are at a talent deficit.
And perhaps most notably, D’Angelo Russell is still around the team and stay connected even as he’s hurt. He also gave an update on his status that cast some doubt on when he’ll actually return.
“I’m feeling better and better every day. So yeah, it’s cool,” Russell said on Saturday, per the New York Post. “I don’t know [the timeline]. Really, honestly I’m just trying to stay healthy and get as strong as I can before I get back out on the floor. It’s definitely not something I want to rush. …. I’m not really forcing anything, just doing what the trainers tell me day in and day out and go from there, see how I feel every day.”