The Brooklyn Nets are pivoting after Jacque Vaughn's dismissal. While Vaughn was a positive presence in the locker room, the players did not appreciate his system and his lack of in-game adjustments.
General manager Sean Marks and the rest of Brooklyn’s front office agree with the players, leading to Vaughn’s removal and Kevin Ollie’s promotion to interim head coach. Marks also noted that the Nets fan base deserves a team that competes like some of the Nets rosters he built earlier in his tenure.
“It’s not entirely JV’s fault here. We could all look into the mirror and say what could we have done differently? What can we do better? I think we do need to get to playing. Hard and competing,” Marks said in his media session regarding the head coach situation.
“That’s what the borough of Brooklyn deserves, and rightfully so. I think we’ve seen that in the past; we’ve had a group of young men going out there and competing, having a chip on their shoulder.”
The Nets should be more fun to watch now
Ollie specified that he wanted the Nets to be a team of “hunters.” Being a hunter will require playing with energy, as Ollie wants “energy-generating behaviors” from his squad. There is potential for them to play with some of the most energetic basketball in the league. Players like Dennis Smith Jr ., Mikal Bridges, and Nic Claxton will contribute to that play style.
This positive energy approach to the game will likely result in the Nets playing more of a fast-paced style. That’s what Vaughn was preaching to the team earlier in the year, but players were meshing well with their now-former coach. With Ollie at the helm, it looks like the Nets want to play for him and are ready to contribute to the team’s goal of making the postseason.
More players will get opportunities under Ollie
Vaughn struggled with his rotations, especially with the sporadic minutes for Trendon Watford and Jalen Wilson. These two players always played with energy. While nothing can be assured, they can get a significant minute bump under Ollie by working hard.
The 28 games will be fun for the Nets, as they will look like a brand-new team. Brooklyn’s roster remains the same, but having a fresh voice in the head coach position can turn the season around, especially when everyone buys into the new regime Marks is hoping for.
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