Nets Check-In: Surpassing Expectations

Published: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

by Kyle Ferreira

The 2024-25 season has been a pleasant surprise for the Brooklyn Nets. Reaching the NBA Finals was never the goal, but this Nets squad has been competitive. While many experts' predictions about the team have proven accurate, most Nets fans agree they are heading in the right direction.

When looking at some of their wins, they’ve defeated several quality opponents, including the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks—teams likely bound for the playoffs in April. Even in many of their losses, they’ve competed with some of the league’s best.

Under first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez, the consensus is that he is fit to lead this young roster. He has earned the respect of his players and the league, takes responsibility for his coaching mistakes, and is widely regarded as a likable leader. Despite a rough stretch in recent weeks, Fernandez has kept the team steady and ready to compete in every matchup.

Moving to the roster, there has already been significant movement with trades, waivers, and injuries. Veteran guard Dennis Schroder, a fan favorite with the Nets, was traded to the Golden State Warriors after an impressive run. Dorian Finney-Smith was also sent to California to join the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for former Net D’Angelo Russell.

Looking at the two trades, the Warriors and Lakers, both competing in the Western Conference, needed reinforcements, and the Nets provided the resources. While Brooklyn missed the leadership and veteran presence, the team needed to focus on the future. Despite a relatively strong start to the season, some fans worried about the team's draft positioning, as other teams currently had worse records.

Focusing on the current roster, there are positives to take away from individual performances. For non-Brooklyn fans, players like Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons stand out. Thomas continues to improve as a scorer, while Simmons has delivered a few solid performances.

However, for Nets fans and NBA fans overall, Cameron Johnson has rightfully received praise for his work on the court this season. Now in his sixth season, his shooting, scoring, and passing have all reached new career highs, a testament to his growth. For years, many have called him underrated, and now contenders like the Cleveland Cavaliers see him as a key piece to boost their championship aspirations.

One of the defining aspects of previous regimes was their historic offenses in the early part of the decade. The 2020-21 Nets were once considered among the greatest offensive teams in NBA history, boasting a 118.3 offensive rating. However, as offenses have rapidly evolved across the league in recent seasons, the Nets have adopted a different approach.

Their pace of play is similar to last season, ranking in the bottom 10 of the league with a 97 rating. They are also near the bottom in points per game at 107.3, which, to be fair, would be high in other eras. However, their free-throw percentage ranks in the top five in the league, with a little over 80% from the line.

Defensively, even with standout player Nic Claxton, the team has struggled. Their defensive rating ranks near the bottom of the league, they don’t force enough turnovers, and their rim protection is among the worst. Averaging just 3.7 blocks per game — with 1.2 of those coming from Claxton — it’s remarkable the team has managed to win 13 games.

With Brooklyn currently on a long Western road trip, the team is nearing the halfway point of the season. Surprisingly, the Nets remain in contention for a spot in the Play-In Tournament, but realistically, that’s unlikely to happen.

There is progress being made, for sure, and hope remains for a top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. Some projections have the Nets selecting Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe or Illinois’ Kasparas Jaucionis. Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg is still the main prize, but Brooklyn could be eyeing someone else, given its current record.

It would be insane to assume this team reaches the playoffs, but their toughness will keep them fighting in the second half of the season. The hiring of Fernandez will pay off in the long run, but this team is not there yet.

Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu.

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