NBA Power Rankings: The final regular season edition

Brooklyn knew before the season started that they were in a bit of a pickle this year. If they were one of the worst teams in the league, they didn’t own their draft pick. They couldn’t try to be one of the best teams in the league, because of the lack of talent on their roster. So, Coach Kenny Atkinson unleashed a small-ball lineup around D’Angelo Russell, acquired in the offseason via trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Nets tried to learn an offensive system that could produce a playoff spot once they’re able to acquire the pieces for that system. In the meantime, they’re left developing players like Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris, who most likely won’t be around the next time the Nets make the playoffs. So long, and thanks for all the personal fouls.