"Rebuilding Brooklyn is just 1-11, entering the weekend tied with the Wizards and Pacers for the worst record in the NBA, and the best odds in the lottery. That makes Sunday's tilt huge for the tank. A victory would be Pyrrhic. Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) goes to the basket against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first quarter at Kia Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect"
"Many pro-tanking Nets fans still look back at last season's strong start - going into Thanksgiving an unexpected 9-10 - as having been costly in the lottery long run, hurting their chances at a franchise cornerstone. Enter this year's do-over. While the lottery is capricious and random - rewarding long shots lately at the cost of the last-place teams - the Nets still seem intent on giving themselves every edge come May."
"So, from here that's a challenge for all of us, and we want to continue to see this. Our wins are not just in the standings; our wins are in so many different places. We'll judge that (and) we'll move on to the next one. To me, that's the challenge, keep seeing positives and keep getting one percent better, and we'll be OK."
The Brooklyn Nets have a 1-11 record, tied with Washington and Indiana for the league's worst mark and carrying top lottery odds. The upcoming game in Washington carries tanking implications, where a win would be considered a Pyrrhic outcome if young players perform well. Head coach Jordi Fernández emphasizes collective development, incremental improvement and measuring success beyond the standings. Fans who favored last season's early competitiveness view that run as detrimental to lottery positioning, and the franchise appears focused on positioning itself for a stronger draft outcome in May.
Read at New York Post
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