April 9, 2015, Queens, NY Popeye the Sailor Man used to say, “I’m strong to the ‘fin-ich,’ ’cause I eat my spi-nach.'” Well, the Brooklyn Nets better eat some “spinach” so they can be strong to the “fin-ich” (that’s the actual spelling used in the lyrics) like Popeye the Sailor Man. The Nets did not improve their playoff chance when they lost last night to the Atlanta Hawks, 114-111 at Barclays. True, the Hawks are the best team in the Eastern Conference (at least based on record even though some might argue the Cavaliers are the best team), but this can’t be used as an excuse. The Nets are tied with Boston who defeated the Detroit Pistons last night 113-103. Indiana has Paul George back which signals their intent profoundly–playoffs. The Celtics, under coach Brad Stevens, are a franchise on the brink of contention and signals their intent profoundly–playoffs. The same can be said for the Miami Heat–playoffs.
Two spots, four teams. Something has to give, and something will give. And that something can’t be the Nets. Trailing for most of the game, the Nets took the lead 109-108 with 3:28 left in the 4th quarter after a Joe Johnson, back you down, post you up, deposit you in spin cycle, and teardrop you from a few feet–swoosh. A swat block by Lopez on the ensuing possession by the Hawks. A Deron Williams no-look pass to Johnson who launched a trey that would have brought the house down–no swoosh. Daggonit. A D-Will foul on the other end that sent Jeff Teague the line for twwwooooo shhhottts (L.A. Sunshine)–no swoosh, he missed both free throws. A D-Will trey that…–no swoosh. Wild shot by Hawk’s Jeff Teague–no swoosh. Thaddeus Young on the offensive foul–no swoosh, ball back to Hawks. A Jeff Teague layup–swoosh, Hawks regained the lead 110-109. Jarrett Jack for three–no swoosh. A Brook Lopez tip–no swoosh. Another Lopez tip–no swoosh. A Thaddeus Young putback–no swoosh. A Jeff Teague turnover–no swoosh, under a minute left to play. D-Will off the glass–swoosh, Nets went up 11-110 with 33.5 seconds left. A Carroll shot from deep in the corner–no swoosh, Hawks rebound. A Teague drive and a Thaddeus Young foul–no swoosh, Young was gone for the night. A Horford jam–swoosh, Hawks up 112-111 with 19.1 left. A Jarret Jack shot–no swoosh. A Brook Lopez rebound, a pass to Bogdanovic who took a long three–no swoosh, foul by Nets, 2.7 seconds on the clock, Teague to the line, twwwoooooshhottts. Swoosh! Swoosh! Game over.
Two spots, four teams. Something has to give, and something will give. Four teams. Each team having four games left. None of the four play each other. Two teams control their destiny, the Celtics and the Nets. Miami is hungry. Pat Riley is not ready for vacation. Indiana just brought back Paul George. They didn’t bring back Paul George to NOT make the playoffs. Boston has a young, ambitious coach by the name of Brad Stevens. It would be a nice feather in his cap if he made the playoffs in his second year.
Two spots, four teams. Something has to give, and something will give. The Nets face the Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic. If the Nets go 4-0, they’re in. If the Nets go 3-1, they’re in (maybe, I don’t know about the tiebreakers if all four teams are tied). If the Nets go 2-2, trouble. If the Nets go 1-3, big trouble. If the Nets go 0-4, stick a fork in them (unless Indiana and Miami perform as haplessly).
Two spots, four teams. Something has to give, and something will give. No miracles needed, but a little bit of spinach might go a long way.
Professor Clifford Benton can be reached at cliffb@puresportsny.com