The Brooklyn Nets are starting 2023 off right. With a convincing win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, the Nets have extended their win streak to 12. This win was so convincing that Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn allowed his stars to clock out after the third quarter. The Nets rallied behind Kevin Durant’s 25 points and Kyrie Irving’s 27 to beat the Spurs 139-103 at home.
The turnaround from the Brooklyn Nets has been incredible to watch. After a turbulent summer and start to the season, they have won 17 out of their last 20 games. The Nets were 12th in the Eastern Conference on Nov. 15. Less than two months later, the Nets are in second place behind the Boston Celtics, the team responsible for their last loss. The Nets’ streak includes a notable series of consecutive wins against the Golden State Warriors, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Not to jinx them, but it looks like the modern-day Nets, with Durant and Irving at its core are finally living up to their potential. If they ride this momentum and stay healthy, the Nets could easily come out of the east and fight for the title they have been lusting over. Broken down, here are the factors of this winning formula.
The Nets have an experienced head coach.
Give Jacque Vaughn his flowers. If anyone deserves credit for how well the Nets have played in this recent stretch, it is the man with the clipboard. Everybody knew that hiring Steve Nash to command the Nets’ newly renovated roster was a shot in the dark. When Nash got fired at the beginning of November, fans were uncertain about the future of the head coach position. Plenty thought that the Nets would sign former Celtics head coach, Ime Udoka. But to everyone’s surprise, Vaughn has been incredible in the driver’s seat for the Nets.
Vaughn worked under Greg Popovich as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs from 2010-2012. Since then he served as the head coach for the Orlando Magic for three seasons and a pro scout for the Spurs for a year before joining the Nets coaching staff in 2016. Vaughn’s experience and understanding of the game have been key factors in the Nets’ incredible run. He was given a roster with good pieces and he is giving a showcase of how to play the cards right. He has earned his players’ and fans’ respect in the process.
The stars are shining in Brooklyn.
The Nets’ New Year’s resolution should be to make sure that Kyrie Irving stays away from Twitter. Irving’s absence due to his…
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