Depleted Nets should still scrap for playoff spot
With their high-profile dropouts and castaway roster, the Nets, by most logical prognostications, were Dead On Arrival at Disney World. D.O.A. could be Brooklyn’s ride at Epcot Center.
But that’s in reference the Nets’ title chances, not their opportunity for a playoff berth. If they manage to collapse out of the postseason, it would be another level of disappointment – even if, as the tank police like to mention, it could help the organization in the longterm with a lottery draft pick.
Sunday afternoon’s game against the Wizards could go a long way to determine whether the Nets can avoid a play-in game. As far as starpower, it’s the worst matchup in Disney World. By far. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and Bradley Beal all stayed home. Even the avid NBA fan would be hardpressed to name half the game’s starters.
But it’ll carry weight in the standings. Currently, the Nets (30-35) own a six-game lead over Wizards (24-41) for the eighth spot. With seven seeding games remaining, Washington needs to cut that deficit to just 4 to force a play-in game. It’ll be halfway there with a win Sunday over Brooklyn.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said the implications don’t affect the game plan.
“I think overall the group realizes the importance of the game,” Vaughn said. “I think it doesn’t change our approach. Hopefully we were as locked in as we are every single game. But totally agree with you that we’ll go into this game as prepared as we possibly can be, as healthy as we possibly can be, and have a great effort.”
For the Nets, the availability of Jamal Crawford for conditioning reasons remains up in the air. GM Sean Marks bragged about the signings of Crawford and Michael Beasley as symbols the Nets were aiming to win in Orlando. But Beasley was signed with a five-game drug suspension looming, and then left the bubble after testing positive for COVID-19. Crawford, 40, was inactive in the bubble opener for “conditioning,” and Vaughn was non-committal about the veteran playing against Washington.
“He’ll continue to be re-assessed,” Vaughn said. “I’ll talk to him (Saturday night). And see if he’s in position to play. It’s really that tenuous.”
Asked to elaborate on Crawford’s fitness issue and whether it was known before he signed, Vaughn didn’t answer directly but implied this is about preventing injury. Crawford wasn’t signed by an NBA team this season and hasn’t played a regular season game since dropping 54 points in April of 2019.
“I know that basically Jamal has played more games than LeBron James and when you look at it, that and the time off he had leading into the bubble – whether that was spending time with his family, whether that was in quarantine – we want each athlete to be in position to be successful not only today but also going forward,” Vaughn said. “And so, the objective is to put him on the floor where he is comfortable and he has a base underneath him and not turning the page backwards and saying we wish we should have.”
The Nets, who’ll retain their draft pick only if they fail to get to the playoffs, weren’t hurting for offense in their 128-118 opener loss to the Magic. Crawford’s specialty is scoring and owned the league’s third-worst defensive rating last season with Phoenix. Still, Nets guard Tyler Johnson said Crawford’s vast experience would assist in a biggame atmosphere.
And there’s arguably no bigger game for the Nets in Orlando than Sunday’s.
“You see how many playoff runs this guy has. He brings a different side of basketball that a lot of guys haven’t really seen,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot of young guys on this team who haven’t been in that playoff pressure or played extended minutes in any type of playoff environment, so he kind of fills that void. He allows you to relax. He allows you to play your game. You have somebody there talking you through everything. I know him, he’s eager to get back out there. We want him healthy so we can finish out the season with him and integrated with the team. When he does get back, he’ll be an integral part of moving forward.”