With only 11 games remaining in the Brooklyn Nets’ regular season schedule, time is running out for the team to build chemistry before they begin their participation in the play-in tournament.
After Sunday’s practice, Nets center Andre Drummond explained to reporters the need for the team to approach the game “like pickup” as they work to build chemistry together.
“Got to treat this s— like pickup,” Drummond said, jokingly. “Just take the best five and try to make it work. And try to build chemistry while we’re out there.
“But I think the best thing about our team is we have guys that are experienced, guys that have been in the league for five- to seven-plus years. So I think with that, we’ll be able to figure it out.”
While understanding Drummond’s sentiment, Nets coach Steve Nash stated he “wouldn’t go that far” as to say they should be playing with a “pickup” mindset. Regardless, there is a strong sense of urgency over the team’s remaining 11 games.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Nash said. “Hopefully we are more purposeful than just a pickup game. But I get what he’s saying. And I’ve talked to the team about this. We don’t have time to give away days. … We’ve talked to the group a lot about 11 games.”
The Nets face challenging circumstances when it comes to having a consistent environment to build chemistry. Kyrie Irving remains ineligible to play home games and Ben Simmons remains sidelined as he recovers from back issues.
Of the Nets’ 11 remaining games, seven will be played at Barclays Center while another is in Madison Square Garden, where Irving is also still ineligible to play. As a result, there are just three remaining games for Brooklyn that Irving will be eligible to play barring a change to policy.
Adding further complication to the situation, the Nets would face the Toronto Raptors to begin the play-in tournament if it began today. Irving would be ineligible to play at Scotiabank Arena.
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