Moral victories won’t cut it anymore

Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said it’s time his team move past praise for playing hard and moral victories, and start to pile up some real ones.

“There’s a little bit of solace. But this year I think it’s a little different,” Atkinson said. “I think it wasn’t sympathetic from those guys, it was great that I got that feedback because that was part of staying positive through the season because you did hear that. But this year we’ve got to take a step.”

Amid an NBA-worst 20-62 record in his debut season, Atkinson often heard opposing coaches praise how hard his Nets played. While it’s better than the alternative, after the Nets exhausted copious amounts of cap space and brought in six new faces — including D’Angelo Russell — the bar has been raised.

“Playing hard isn’t enough. We’ve got to play a little smarter,” Atkinson said. “There’s a step to make. I’m not sure what exactly that looks like. Utopian [conditions] I do, but I think we have to make steps where we don’t have to talk about, ‘Hey, they play hard.’ They’re really executing, and really playing smart basketball. I think that’s the next step.”

Most Vegas projections have the Nets winning 27.5 or 28.5 games, while the latest ESPN prediction has them 31-51.

After only putting in a small portion of the system and playing particularly vanilla on offense last season, Atkinson said he has installed more this year despite the preseason slate being reduced from six games to four. He felt the offense will be much crisper when Allen Crabbe and Caris LeVert get up to speed, but admitted it has a way to go.

Brooklyn had 78 turnovers in the preseason, with point guard Jeremy Lin committing an unsightly 13.

“Yeah, it’s just been sheer decision-making,” Atkinson said. “Most of it has been in the pick-and-roll. And keeping things simpler.

“The 50-50 passes, that’s our theme this year. We want it more 80-20, 90-10, make sure that thing’s there. So he’s just been a little loose with the ball, taking some risks.”