Steve Nash experiments and finds a good lineup combination for the Nets
The sound you heard coming from the Wells Fargo Center on Friday night in Philadelphia was a massively relieved sigh by the Nets after they came from 10 down in the final five minutes to pull off a narrow victory with a final 16-1- races where they forced the 76ers to miss their last nine field goal attempts.
After their opening loss to defending NBA champion Bucks in Milwaukee, another bad show in a row would have significantly increased Net’s anxiety level as they adapt to life without Kyrie Irving and mingle with 10 new faces. Walking into their home opener against the Hornets Sunday afternoon at the Barclays Center with a 1-1 record feels much less stressful than if the Nets were 0-2.
In three-quarters, the game in Philadelphia had a similar feel to that in Milwaukee after falling into an early hole, but the Nets found their determination, especially on the defensive end.
“We kept preaching throughout the game that we had to get over the hump,” James Harden said. “At one point, we got [the deficit] to two, and they got it back to double digits. Throughout the fourth quarter, I think we just turned it to another level.
“It was their opening at home so we knew there would be a lot of emotion in here … We didn’t play well in our first game so we wanted to jump back and put it together in four quarters and I think we did that. “
With an overview led by superstars Kevin Durant, who had a triple-double against the 76ers, and Harden plus veteran former All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap, the Nets are among the favorites to win the NBA title. But coach Steve Nash has preached patience as they adapt to new faces and a lineup that includes several talented big men.
Absolutely, the absence of Irving, who is unvaccinated in violation of New York City’s COVID-19 mandate and has been told he cannot join again until he qualifies for all matches, has increased the pressure on Durant and Harden.
“We lost a big chunk,” Nash said of Irving. “It’s not just the new pieces, it’s the void we’re used to playing with. It’s a lot for us to take in at this point, but hopefully in the coming weeks we’ll start clearing some of the dirt and finding out of how we can best play together. “
Nash experimented with a variety of lineups to find a comfort level, but he hit a good combination down the stretch of the fourth quarter, bringing Aldridge, Patty Mills and Jevon Carter from the bench to teams with Durant and Harden. Aldridge scored 13 of his 23 points on 5-on-5 shooting in the fourth, including the three-point clearance.
“It just came naturally,” said Aldridge, who played five games for the Nets last season before temporarily retiring with a heart condition. “I would be lying if I said I felt like I wanted to do what I did. We talked foreplay about my pick-and-popping, and then James found me late for one-on-one.”
All of his points came from the middle class in the final period, but Aldridge noted that he just lacks 20,000 career points. “These days, the middle class is considered a bad shot, but I have 19,000 — some points from the middle class. So if you tell me it’s a bad shot, I do not believe you.”
Nash is a supporter of the modern offense, appreciating three-pointers and layups over midfield shots, but he needs to adapt to the talents in his new roster and keep up with what works.
“While we’re not trying to live in the middle class, Kevin is obviously a unique talent who is unique in the middle class, and LaMarcus is also excellent there,” Nash said. “If we get open glances, they are open glances. You can not miss them because our mathematicians will shout at us after the match. We have to take some of them and you have to make them if you want to beat good teams. . “
The Nets did it in Philadelphia to straighten out their ship as they began a season-long six-game home run that gives them a chance to get a quick start to their season.
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 and currently covers a wide range of sports and events, including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
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