Even if his job is safe, the pressure is on Coach Vaughn to get through to his players. JV cited continuity as the issue behind the loss to Boston because of the recent trades and injuries playing a factor in the defeat. It was interesting because Vaughn was asked if he felt his messages weren’t getting through to the players.
“I think it’s far from that. These guys haven’t played together. CJ’s never played with Dennis Schroder, and it goes down the line. Day’Ron is just getting back tonight,” Vaughn said to the media after the embarrassment against Boston. “I don’t think you can count on your one hand how many times you’ve seen games like this from this group. I have total confidence in this group.”
The Nets should be better after the break
The All-Star break should be good for the Nets because they can use it to rest and build chemistry with each other. The coach should also motivate his players to work hard ahead of the second half of the season.
It will be a tough road toward the Play-In Tournament, as the Nets are 2.5 games behind the 10th-seeded Atlanta Hawks. Brooklyn should do their best to catch up because they have a healthy roster that could compete against any team in the league.
Brooklyn will get the continuity Coach Vaughn wants to see from his roster. He will likely have Ben Simmons in the starting lineup and have Dennis Schroder and Dennis Smith Jr. as the backup playmakers.
Cameron Thomas should be a full-time starter because he will thrive alongside a taller defensive guard like Simmons. Coach Vaughn’s offensive system should improve in the second half of the season because the team is healthier now.
The coaching staff is under pressure
Now that the Nets have a healthy roster, Coach Vaughn and his staff are under pressure to perform. After a performance like this against the Celtics, they need to motivate the players and get results.
The front office and general manager Sean Marks support Coach JV, but he must be on the hot seat after a mediocre first half of the season. The pressure is on him, and he will have to find a way to improve the team.
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