Embarrassing doesn't even begin to describe what the Nets experienced at TD Garden on Wednesday night. Ineptitude, listlessness and just a downright disgusting brand of basketball is what the Nets put on the floor in their last game prior to the All-Star Break.
Not a single Net will be participating in the All-Star festivities in Indiana, but it seemed as though the players' minds and that of the coaching staff's was on other travel plans during the break.
The Nets were romped in a historic loss that was only second to a 52-point defeat they suffered in 1978 at the hands of the Houston Rockets. That team back then made the playoffs. This Brooklyn club, 2.5 games back of the final play-in spot, might not be so lucky.
The Nets lack leadership, accountability, grit, toughness and just about every characteristic you need to be a winning club. Given the talent on this team, while it can't come close to that of the superstar era, there's not reason that Brooklyn should be floundering at 11 games under .500. But here we are.
Jacque Vaughn's seat should be hot to the touch, but it's unlikely that an in-season coaching change will be made with still two years after this season remaining on his contract.
The All-Star break couldn't come at a better time for a Nets team searching for, but finding no answers.
Brooklyn will have a hard time advancing into the playoffs if they make the play-in, but not making the play-in all together would be a failure of colossal proportions. Without a pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Nets are in NBA purgatory and one of the most pitiful stories in the league this season.
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