Nets still refuse to call 2019-20 a gap year

With 29 games left on their schedule, the Brooklyn Nets start their post-NBA All-Star break schedule as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. And there have been points where the Nets were in the last playoff spot throughout the 2019-20 season. With all the injuries Brooklyn has dealt with throughout the year, staying in the playoff race is an accomplishment in itself.

But after signing two superstars in the summer, the Nets were expected to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference, having finished sixth in the standings last season. Kyrie Irving only playing in 20 games this season has made that difficult.

Not having Kevin Durant, either, makes things tougher, as well.

So, Brooklyn’s two max players have combined for 20 games played in 2019-20. Seems like a built-in excuse for the Nets. DeAndre Jordan refuses to lean on the disadvantage, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

Yeah, we’re not coming out, ‘Oh, KD’s not healthy so we can play like [garbage] this year.’ That would be disrespectful to every other player in this locker room. That’s not what we’re about.

Jordan continued:

So, whenever those guys are back healthy, then they’re going to help lead us. But we’re excited about the guys we have here now and the guys helping us play well this season. That’s all you can ask for.

The Nets maintain they don’t expect Durant to play this season. Irving has missed Brooklyn’s last five games. There is no set date for his return.