At the start of the season we all thought the Nets would be competing for an NBA title, but here at the start of May the Nets have already been eliminated from the playoffs. So what went wrong? Was it Kyrie not being allowed to play in home games, James Harden's apparent lack of interest in the team, or Durant's season being shortened due to injuries? The real answer is the hiring of Steve Nash. Nash was hired over some big time head coaches for his first gig as an NBA head coach, and the duo of KD and Kyrie gave the signing their stamp of approval. That was ultimately the downfall since Nash never earned the respect from his players as an authority. Sure, Nash was a two time MVP and a member of the All-NBA 75 team but that doesn't make him a good head coach. A guy like Mark Jackson would have helped that team gel together and become the best they could be, but here we are. So how good can they be next season? Their ceiling is champions of the NBA. Their talent alone secures them a playoff spot even with the league getting more competitive year after year, and if Ben Simmons can get on the court the fans are in for a treat. Not only does Simmons fit into the Nets scheme but he fits in as a teammate as well. Kyrie took on the two-guard role and KD is one of the best scorers in NBA history so Ben's facilitating will be crucial next season. Plus when they "play small" they'll still have two seven footers on the floor. They can learn from this season even though many consider it a failure, but KD will be back with a vengeance!
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