The Brooklyn Nets went into Friday’s game against the Magic needing either a win or a Miami Heat loss to lock up the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. It turns out that both happened. Even with rough nights from Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie, the Nets were still able to win easily and secure a spot in the playoffs for the fifth-straight season. That’s the 4th-longest streak in the NBA.
The Locked on Nets guys discuss what it means for Brooklyn to make the playoffs, how things shook out in this game and what to expect next.
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Brooklyn earned the sixth seed!!!
After one of the most insane seasons ever that saw Brooklyn lose a coach one of their superstars to controversy one unhealthy and another trying to lead a new group together the Nets were in wonderland…
Then Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving along with Simmons started playing well and Brooklyn went on a big 12 game winning streak that finally had Brooklyn close to championship contention.
Then it all blew up. Kevin Durant got injured and Kyrie Irving wanted a trade because he wasn't guaranteed a max contract after being absent most of his time in Brooklyn.
Facing implosion Sean Marks capitalized on Brooklyn future and traded Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant for:
Mikal Bridges Cam Johnson Dorian Finney Smith Spencer dinwiddie five first round draft picks three second round picks and a 18 million trade exception..
This new core faced with being average and a play in team decided to band together and went on an impressive journey beating big teams like the Miami heat Boston Celtics and Denver nuggets while defeating teams they were supposed to beat.
Along the way Mikal Bridges continued his evolution becoming a primary 27+ to 30+ scorer 🔥, cam Johnson unlocked his offensive versatility, Dorian Finney Smith unleashed his gritty defense and competitive mindset and Spencer dinwiddie became the primary floor general and assist maker to help unlock his teams offense.
All in all Brooklyn future looks so bright and the playoffs are the next level for this team to rise to the occasion… Let's go 🔥🔥🔥…
Let's go Brooklyn!
Proud of this new core for their willingness to fight back, listen and embrace coach Vaughn successful new system, work on building chemistry and trying to find that offensive and defensive balance.
And they managed to get some impressive wins against some tough teams and show great potential of what their team can be when the offense and defense sets are working hand in hand together.
The 76er will be a big test for Brooklyn. But like cam Johnson said this is where the real work starts.
Here's the quote of the day:
After all the chaos The Brooklyn Nets earned the sixth seed.
Kyrie Irving meanwhile did not…
It takes hard work and chemistry. Superstar names alone don't guarantee championships……
And looking a bit ahead trying to trade Ben Simmons in the off-season will be a tough task given his injury history and contract which will require Brooklyn to offload picks and some players.
But one young superstar is in the same ballpark as Ben Simmons and that is Zion Williamson.
When Zion came to the league everyone was touting him as the next big thing after LeBron. Unfortunately injuries and unhealthy habits have caused Zion stock to lower in the league…
However when Zion was healthy this season the pelicans were in first place and Zions two way power role as a strong defender and scorer put that team over the top. However when he got injured again the pelicans just dropped all the way into the play in. Now Zions future as a franchise player in New Orleans is very in question.
Enter the Brooklyn Nets who have the draft picks a top former draft pick defensive specialist Ben Simmons along with top scoring prospect Cam Thomas.
Having Zion Williamson as Brooklyn new franchise player would complete Brooklyn rebuild and give them a new solid core in Zion Williamson Mikal Bridges Cam Johnson Dorian Finney Smith and Nic Claxton. That would be a tough defensive squad with the ability to score a lot in the interior and cause a lot of opposition problems trying to defend them.
Spencer dinwiddie can become the sixth man off the bench and really help give Brooklyn second unit a floor general, a assist maker and willing scorer.
This would be the best trade for Brooklyn long term future that allows them to not trade away all their draft picks given Zions injury history and gives him a fresh start on a great defensive team. Mikal Bridges and cam Johnson slide into the second and third scoring options while Spencer becomes a top four and Claxton can just keep rolling 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Would like to hear anyone thoughts on a possible Ben Simmons for Zion Williamson swap???
Dope! I can now relax… 😂 Still thanks to KD, KYRIE, and Ben for the WINS they contributed leading to this 6th seed.
Stop doubting this team we very well could be Philly fxck them
Congrats Nets. Suns fan but I'm happy for Cam and Mikal!
Happy Dance for the Nets!
Broooooooklyn 🎉
Philly are frauds man
And y'all have to look at it like this , this is a more favorable matchup than a boston or Milwaukee
Let's go!! It's been a long season guys. I've been listening to this podcast since the off season. There have been a lot of ups and downs. A lot of disappointment. However, here we are in the playoffs! It's a cause for celebration. Nets vs. 76ers. It's going to be a juicy series. Let the games begin!!!
We made the Playoffs!❤️😁😁
Wow such enthusiasm from these 2😒😒
Cam Thomas is not injured and not on the roster tonight. I really wonder what is going on between him and Vaughn. And stop praising Vaughn please because the Nets made the playoffs in spite of him, not because of him.
Considering the turmoil, this season, I think the Nets have exceeded expectations by making the playoffs. Going forward, they're playing with house money. The 76ers are favorites to win the series. As long as the Nets play hard, I'll be satisfied.
Congrats Nets on making the playoffs. The Nets shooting percentages have not been good since the trade, but as you said Doug, if they shoot hot in a game they can win it. I think they can win one or two against Philly. The Nets record over the last 25 games was much better than I thought it would be. They new guys have been great…especially Mikal and Spencer.
Maybe I’m bugging but I think they could beat the sixers !! BK all Day !!
Adam i want 30 mins straight on DDJ solo pod!! No negative Doug once we take 2 games from a washed up harden
Sunday game is a perfect game for Cam Thomas to go off for 40. One more 40 piece from him came up his value again for the off season.
Why are you taking a cheap shot at my other team, the Thunder? They've Clinched a POSTSEASON birth after only two non PostSeason yrs. They were a 5 seed just 2.5 yrs ago (CP3, SGA, Lu Dort team). And actually one play away from the 2nd rd. Considering Holmgrens impact next yr & all their draft picks, there is not an NBA team who has a brighter future than the OKC Thunder.
I cant wait to see Nic Claxton vs Embiid. I think Clax will surprise ppl w/ how well he will do against Embiid. We just need to keep games close because next to Dame & Luka there isnt a player I trust more to hit a GW buzzer beater than Spencer Dinwiddie. Even when KD & Kyrie were on the team I said the Nets made a huge mistake letting Dinwiddie go because w/ under 10 seconds to go & game on the line, I trust Dinwiddie much more than I do Durant or Irving.
Basically, this is a TEAM. They play for/with one another. No one star, multiple players who can be “the guy” on any given evening.
One playoff win is already better then last year
The Nets are a team to watch!! They just need to add young stars. Draft well but no more big trades or free agents. I knew the KD and Kyrie move was bad. Team ball works . Go to play offs every year and grow talent . Get chip every few 5 to tens years. That's quality!!! Sustainable model
Good news Celtics and Heat gave two different blueprints the last two games to show how to beat 76ers:
1. Make Embiid put up 52 & stop everyone else
2. Play fast to keep their un-athletic team running & late double Embiid
I wouldn't count them out so fast tho, anything can happen, i have them winning it all. #NetsVsEverybody
About to get routed by the Sixers 😂
Go Sixers, Sixers in 5