The Nets have had a disappointing start to the 2019-20 season. They’re now 4-7 after Thursday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets, and have lost back-to-back games in which they led by double-digits at the half. Plus, those two letdowns came on the heels of a blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns.
To make matters worse for Brooklyn, the team is now without Caris LeVert for four to six weeks after he needed surgery to repair damaged ligaments in his right thumb.
No matter how you slice it, the Nets are not in a spot most expected them to be in following the additions of Kyrie Irving, Taurean Prince, Garrett Temple and DeAndre Jordan over the summer. Some seem to have already given up on Brooklyn, including TNT NBA analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.
Following Thursday’s loss, Barkley’s co-worker, Kenny Smith, explained how the Nuggets are in a good spot because they were able to win another contest despite the fact they didn’t put together a full game again. Barkley disagreed:
You’re not going to be able to turn it on against the elite teams. You’re gonna beat the Brooklyn Nets. I mean, come on, they stink.
Barkley doubled-down soon after his initial comment about the Nets.
They were gonna come back on Brooklyn ’cause Brooklyn stinks.