Right now, the Nets look dead.
The good news? Their tank is alive and well.
They’ve gone colder than the snowy blizzard that whipped through half the country, mired in the second-longest losing skid in the NBA. But the upside is — for the first time in months — being within striking distance of the top seed in the pivotal draft lottery that will ultimately dictate the franchise’s future.
Between the way the schedule has broken and the way defenses are smothering All-Star candidate Michael Porter Jr., the Nets just might be able to have their cake and eat it, too. Going into an extended tailspin even with Porter in the lineup is proof of concept. The Nets can keep him through next month’s trade deadline if need be and still execute a successful tank.
