In his first communication to fans since the Brooklyn Nets were bounced from the playoffs, general manager Sean Marks said the team would be “stronger than ever” when it returns next season.
Marks wrote an open letter to fans that was released by the team on Wednesday as the Brooklyn GM thanked them for their support throughout the chaotic season. The Nets were eliminated from the first round by the Boston Celtics on Monday night in four games.
“While we are disappointed to not continue our journey in the NBA Playoffs, we are left with tremendous appreciation for your overwhelming support,” Marks wrote. “We are grateful for the many times you showed up to cheer us on both at home and on the road, and we felt your pride more this season than ever before.”
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Nets fans had been increasingly visible during the 2021-22 season, especially on the road at Madison Square Garden and during Brooklyn’s highly-anticipated March 10 game in Philadelphia. The Nets surpassed several home attendance records as well at Barclays Center.
However, the first-round exit was far from what the Nets and their fanbase had expected entering the season, with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving all wearing black and white. But Brooklyn’s Big 3 played very few minutes together before it came to an end in February when Harden was traded to Philadelphia for Ben Simmons.
Injuries and COVID, along with additional off-court drama, helped derail the Nets’ season.
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“Despite enormous anticipation for this past season, We know the best is yet to come for the Brooklyn Nets,” Marks continued. “We have some of the most elite and talented players in the league set to return next season. We are hard at work already preparing for a pivotal offseason. Our commitment to putting the best product on the floor and our aspirations to be the last team standing have not changed.”
Marks ended the letter by encouraging fans to follow along during the offseason as “we prepare to come back stronger than ever.”
The Nets general manager has his work cut out for him as he has to wade through the remains of this season and develop a plan going forward. Brooklyn will need to decide what Kyrie Irving’s future with the organization is, re-sign key free agents and decide if Steve Nash is still the right man for the job as their coach.
They also have to figure out where trade deadline acquisition Ben Simmons fits into the equation as well.
