Recent stumble aside, the Nets have been one of the NBA’s more pleasant surprises this season, likely a year ahead of schedule for even those who believed this regime could succeed.
The Nets had a team-record and Eastern Conference-high four players at All-Star Weekend. And Thursday against the Hornets they’ll come out of the break sitting sixth in the East and having gone 22-11 since Dec. 7.
As the Nets gear up for the proverbial second half of the season, let’s critically assess the first half.
D’Angelo Russell: A
The young point guard arrived from Los Angeles admittedly not knowing how to be a pro.