NEW YORK — Because the Brooklyn Nets put together for the ultimate 11 video games of the common season, quarterback Andre Drummond supplied an intriguing perspective on how he hopes the crew approaches the prolonged run.
“I’ve to deal with these photos like a pickup,” Drummond mentioned with fun after coaching on Sunday. “Simply take the highest 5 and attempt to make it work. And attempt to construct concord whereas we’re there.
“However I feel the very best factor about our squad is that we’ve got skilled guys, guys who’ve been within the league for over 5 to seven years. So I feel with that, we’ll be capable of determine that out.”
The Nets have been altering their lineup because the COVID-19 outbreak in December and so they welcomed Kyrie Irving, who has not been vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, who returned as a part-time participant in early January. The crew additionally handled MCL’s damage to star striker Kevin Durant that stored him out for over a month and a half and struck a enterprise cope with the Philadelphia 76ers that introduced Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Drummond and two futures first. Tour picks versus All-Star goalkeeper James Harden and Paul Millsap.
“I am not going to go that far,” Nets coach Steve Nash mentioned of Drummond’s remark. “I hope we’re extra purposeful than just a bit recreation. However I perceive what he is saying. And I’ve talked to the crew about it. We do not have time to surrender days… We have talked to the group about 11 video games.”
With the identical confidence that the Nets, who sit eighth within the Japanese Convention at 37-34, stay in a position to flip issues round, Nash acknowledged that they’re taking part in in opposition to groups which have the benefit of being collectively for for much longer than the crew. networks.
“We’re taking part in in opposition to groups which have 4, 5 or 6 years of institutional expertise,” Nash mentioned. “A whole lot of the execution stuff on the finish of the sport is stored by coronary heart for them. They have been by it earlier than. We do not have that. So I feel that is what Andre is striving for is that we’ve got to work exhausting and pay attention to what little particulars are going to assist us.” in successful matches.
Because the Nets attempt to kind issues out, they need to with Irving nonetheless unable to play the house video games attributable to a NYC vaccination mandate and ready and hoping Simmons’ again will enhance to the purpose the place he can play. Simmons remains to be unable to do something in observe after receiving an epidural in his again final week.
Regardless of the setbacks, Nash remains to be hopeful that Simmons will play in some unspecified time in the future this season.
“I am anticipating to carry it on this 12 months,” Nash mentioned. “That is the place my head is.”
The Nets declined to offer Irving with a chance to touch upon Sunday.
