On a magnificent series of 10 consecutive victories, the Nets continue their rise in the East and even took second place in the standings with the new defeat of the Bucks in Chicago. An unimaginable scenario at the start of the season when chaos reigned in Brooklyn. The reason for this spectacular recovery? A question of identity according to Kevin Durant.
A collective identity is what any NBA coach tries to establish. Because an identity allows you to know where you are going, to rely on the principles forming the team’s DNA, to overcome the difficult times in a tiring 82-game season.
For a long time, the Nets version Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving struggled to really find their identity, the fault of injuries, absences, controversies and chronic instability having characterized the Brooklyn franchise during the 2021-22 campaign until the start of the current season. But that’s it, the New York team – on 10 consecutive victories and 14 in 15 games – has found the right formula.
“We didn’t have an identity at the start of the season. But over the past few weeks, we’ve started to find that identity. We go into every game saying, ‘if we follow this pattern and the structure we have, it’s going to be fine’, regardless of the ups and downs of a game. We know what we want to do when we go out on the pitch.”
– Kevin Durant, at a press conference after the victory in Atlanta yesterday
Since the coach Jacque Vaughn took charge of Steve Nash at the very start of the season, he managed to reform a group where players play for each other on both sides of the field. It’s day and night collectively in comparison to the beginning of the season, where Brooklyn was puffed up in intensity and relied almost entirely on the individual talent of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on offense. Today, we have a team that is one of the most formidable in the NBA offensively (115.5 points per 100 possessions) while being at the gates of the Top 10 in defensive efficiency.
“When we go to the gym today, it’s only basketball that counts and nothing else. All that matters is how we help each other, how we play for each other.”
Vaughn’s Words (via ESPN) highlight not only the mindset of the current team, but also the absence of controversy while the Nets have accustomed us to almost incessant turbulence on the sidelines of the floors. This stability finally found draws its source in particular from the desire of the coach to simplify things as much as possible for his group.
“I am a simple person. I tried to keep things simple. We have reduced our playbook a bit. We keep things simple in what we do. This allows players to play in a liberated way. I think it’s important if you want your guys to play hard.”
From the first outings of the Nets under Jacque Vaughn, we felt a much more coherent and solid Brooklyn team, seeking some great victories along the way despite several notable absentees (Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, etc.). This set the tone for what followed.this made it possible to regain confidence, and above all to lay good foundations as well as new standards which are today at the heart of the very good dynamics of the Nets.
“I think we do a good job in terms of communication and dialogue when we arrive on the bench. Jacque empowers us. Since becoming a coach, he really brings his DNA to the team. And we players follow the game plan.”
– Kyrie Irving, via ESPN
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Sources texte : House of Highlights / ESPN