# 21. Brooklyn Nets
> **8-8 record, plus-0.4 net rating**
> **Preseason ranking: no. 19**
> The Nets are a solid, competitive team. But they aren’t really going anywhere until they make some moves. One of the reasons is that Mikal Bridges has plateaued as a scorer. Bridges is still extremely good in his role, and remains an excellent defender. But after progressing into a player who can create his own shot, he hasn’t yet become a player who can do it at an elite level.
> Bridges is shooting only 35.3 percent out of isolations this season, and with more on-ball reps it means he’s getting fewer chances to do what he does best: cut to the rim, attack closeouts off the catch, and shoot spot-up 3s.
> Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons missing games has put too much on his plate, but their return—and eventual roster-clarifying moves—will hopefully lead to Bridges playing a role more suited for him, one that maximizes all of his impressive capabilities.
> [[link](https://www.theringer.com/nba/2023/11/27/23977800/nba-power-rankings-denver-nuggets-boston-celtics#:~:text=is%20worth%20optimizing.-,21.%20Brooklyn%20Nets,-8%2D8%20record)]
I don’t disagree with this analysis at all, but at the same time– the need to ‘make moves’ also makes me ask “for *WHAT*, exactly?”
Is the writer really suggesting that we’re only a couple moves away from being a contender?
Becaase that feels a bit over-the-top to me.
Personally, I’ve really been enjoying this season so far, and AFAIK our main goal going in to the break is to see how this collection of players fits together for the long-term. I’m pretty unaware that there’s any pressure on us, or need to make moves. ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯
Thoughts…?
by JohnnyEnzyme
4 Comments
We have a ton of great role players and Mikal is a solid 1.5/2. As Cam Thomas continues to mature, a couple moves could put us over the top. However don’t think the moves are there right now.
Mikal is missing a lot of open 3s but I think if he got his 3 ball back he’d be putting up similar numbers to last year. So I’m not too concerned.
He’s probably referring to Simmons bloated contract, eating up most of our cap space and how the front office intends to deal with that and his lack of availability. I don’t think KOC is suggesting we have any real path to contention
Firstly there is nothing wrong with plateauing as a scorer. He’s done that as a guy averaging 22 a game on efficiency he needs to improve but it’s just his 3s.
If he just simply matches his FT rate and ups his 3% up to last season he’s right where he was last year. And, that’s with the improvements in playmaking, rebounding and his return to defensive form (for the most part he sucked against the bulls).
I also slightly disagree with KOC, Mikal has seriously improved his PNR navigation and his ability to get into actions within the offence. He needs to improve his ISO scoring but Mikal is again ideally not a number 1 on a team but a number 2/3 which is where his ISO problems aren’t that big of a deal.
We are also the perfect team to slot a ball dominant player into at a high level. Like just for the argument if you simply put Donovan Mitchell into this team we are probably the 3-5th best team in the conference easily. That’s what KOC likely means.