Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush at the Gates

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Sean Marks Hired February 18, 2016

2016-2017;  20-62 (.243)

2017-2018;  28-54 (.341)

2018-2019;  42-40 (.512)

2018-2019

National Basketball Association Playoffs

ROUND ONE

(#6) BROOKLYN NETS

vs.

(#3) PHILADELPHIA 76'ERS

Are Hoops of Flatbush Poised For First Round Upset Over Philly?

You can't be disappointed with what you do no expect.  That's exactly what is making Brooklyn's odyssey so enthralling.

Therefore, in the spirit of Ralph Kramden let's get right to the $64,000 question: Can the Nets defeat the Philadelphia Sixers?

My answer: Damn right they can!

Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown admitted as much (paraphrasing) saying the Sixers do not defend pick-and-roll very well (if at all), and will be hard-pressed to thwart Brooklyn's predilection and adroitness for creating space, working from the outside in, and raining three's.

It's no great secret the Nets oft times have difficulty matching up inside against bigger specimens.  Although, since the Clippers game they seem to have stepped up their physicality - smartly I might add.  In this instance, Joel Embiid is of course the X-factor of the series.  Naturally, the longer he remains hobbled by a bum knee, the better off the Nets will be.  For the moment, he's listed as questionable for Saturday's series opener.

Embiid led the Sixers this season with an impressive 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.  That said, no one is certain how he'll perform until we actually see him in action.  Otherwise Jarrett Allen I believe is quite capable of handling a nonathletic Boban Marjanovic, and helping with any Ben Simmons attempts down the lane.  The onus for Philly will fall on the trio of Jimmy Butler, JJ Redick, and Tobias Harris(?).  That's a scenario I believe Brooklyn is equipped to handle.

Brooklyn and Philadelphia split their season series down the middle; two victories apiece.

Nov.4)  BKN 122; PHI  97 @ Brooklyn

• Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons each post double-doubles.  Embiid scores 16 points with a game high 15 rebounds.  Ben Simmons leads the Sixers with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Six Nets score in double digits.  Both D'Angelo Russell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tied for team high with 21 points.  Caris LeVert added 20 points, and Jarrett Allen scored 15 points with a team high ten rebounds.

Nov. 25) PHI 127; BKN 125 @ Brooklyn

• Nets lose by two.  Jimmy Butler leads Philly with 34 points and tied for team high with 12 rebounds with Joel Embiid whom added 32 points.  However, it was D'Angelo Russell who led all scorers with 38 points; Spencer Dinwiddie dropped another 31 points.  The two joined to distribute 13 assists.

Dec. 12) BKN 127; PHI 124 @ Philadelphia

• Joel Embiid posts a typical 33 points and 17 rebounds.  Ben Simmons follows with 22 points and eight rebounds.  This time, Spencer Dinwiddie leads the floor with 39 points.  Allan Crabbe is next in with 20 points, while D'Angelo Russell is limited to 12 points but ties for game high with seven assists.

Mar. 28) PHI 123; BKN 110 @ Philadelphia

• Philly earns a season split with a 13-point margin of victory.  This time Embiid leads the floor with both 39 points and 13 rebounds.  This is perhaps the first time Joe Harris exerts himself against Philly, posting a team high 22 points and shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc.  Otherwise, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson adds a double-double with 19 points and ten rebounds.

Through the first three regular season games versus Philly, Joe Harris averaged just 11.3 ppg., but was a hawk-eye 6 for 12 (50%) from three point land.  The problem is the Nets will require more than just four attempts (3-pointers) per game from him.  In fact "his here today gone tomorrow" act must end post haste if the Nets are to hang around through an extended series against the Sixers.  What I ask for is a little more consistency; playing up to his averages on a nightly basis.  Granted, he only averaged 13.7 ppg for the season.  Make no mistake; I'm not picking on him.  But we all know the impact a sharpshooting Joe Harris can have in any given game.

No need getting into the triumvirate of Russell/LeVert/Dinwiddie.  And I have nothing but love for Jarrett Allen.  The veterans on this team have been and will continue playing indispensable roles in any potential playoff success.  It's just that when Joe Harris shines hot, the Nets radiate brilliance.