The Nets’ Bridge Year Is Over. Now, the Real Work Begins.

The Highlights

1. Irving’s Opening Night

Irving’s first night in a Nets uniform was perhaps the best day of the season for Nets fans, providing unbridled optimism for the franchise’s future. He scored 50 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves as fans chanted, “Kyrie’s home!” The Nets lost in overtime, but Irving’s immense talent was on full display.

2. The Nets’ Young Core

Jarrett Allen, LeVert and, to a lesser extent, Harris all took leaps forward.

Allen improved his touch around the rim and nearly averaged a double-double (11.1 points, 9.6 rebounds; career highs). Allen’s true shooting percentage was a whopping .664 percent, up from .632 the season before. His free-throw rate (free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt) went from to .581 from .489. Basically, Allen improved all across the board and should probably start over Jordan next season.

LeVert’s season was marred again by injuries, but once he got into a flow, he showed significant progress, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists, while developing a 3-point shot (36 percent from deep). If the Nets are to win a championship next season, they’re going to need LeVert to be a consistent third option behind Durant and Irving.

3. Dinwiddie Reasserting Himself

Dinwiddie had some difficulty early in the season meshing with Irving on court and coming off the bench. But after Irving was injured, Dinwiddie carried the offense. In December, he was dominant, averaging 27 points a game and going to the free-throw line 8.9 times a game.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/sports/basketball/nba-nets-swept.html