Brooklyn Nets rookies compared to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams by NBA coach

Brooklyn Nets Assistant Coach Steve Hetzel compared the team's rookie ball-handlers to NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder following the Nets' Summer League opener loss. Hetzel defended the Nets' heavily criticized draft strategy of selecting five first-round picks, mostly ball-dominant playmakers with limited shooting, stating that the league now requires "multiple ball-handlers, multiple attackers." He specifically cited the Thunder's championship-winning duo as evidence that multiple players who can attack the paint and make plays can succeed together.

However, the comparison faces skepticism. While acknowledging that top NBA teams like the Thunder, Celtics (with Tatum and Brown), and Lakers (with James and Doncic) have multiple stars, the article argues that balance is crucial. It points out that the Lakers' playoff loss exemplified how imbalance, despite playmaking talent, can be detrimental. The Thunder's success is attributed not just to their ball-handlers but also to complementary skills like Chet Holmgren's rim protection and Lu Dort's perimeter defense and shooting. The article contends that simply accumulating ball-handlers isn't a guaranteed recipe for success.

The Nets' overall situation is portrayed negatively. Bill Simmons ranked them as having the second-worst outlook in the Eastern Conference. Despite entering the summer with roughly $55 million in cap space, the Nets traded for injured Michael Porter Jr. (sending out Cam Johnson) and Terrance Mann. Combining these acquisitions with five first-round rookies leads to predictions of a long season. Simmons further emphasized the lack of standout young talent, questioning who the Nets' definitive best asset or foundational player ("that's our guy") even is, hesitantly suggesting Nick Claxton.