The Nets may still sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, but their progress is drawing notice across the NBA.
Brooklyn posted the NBA’s No. 1 defensive rating in December, its historic rookie class continues to develop, Michael Porter Jr. placed 10th in the first fan return of Eastern Conference All-Star voting, Cam Thomas looked rejuvenated in his return Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Nets entered Monday’s matchup with the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center riding a three-game winning streak.
After Saturday’s 123-107 win at Target Center, Minnesota star Anthony Edwards said his team “knew everything” the Nets were going to do but couldn’t stop it. National NBA voice Tim Legler said Porter has “completely changed” his trade value, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr has also taken notice of his growth.
“He looks strong, he’s confident,” Kerr said. “It’s great to see, given the issues that he had early in his career. You know, multiple back surgeries, just thrilled to see him out there feeling free and confident and healthy. And he’s always been an unquestionably talented, gifted player, and that’s why he was so highly ranked, you know, coming out of school. But he’s a hell of a player.”
Porter’s resurgence has become a defining subplot of Brooklyn’s season. Freed from the physical setbacks that once threatened to derail his career, he’s embraced a larger role and a different context with the Nets, providing scoring punch while also buying into the team’s defensive identity. That balance has helped Brooklyn stay competitive even as it leans heavily on youth and development.
Head coach Jordi Fernández has repeatedly emphasized that progress over placement remains the priority, and he’s pointed to Porter as a standard-setter inside the locker room.
“Mike is a leader by example,” Fernández said. “He shows up, always been very professional since I got to know him at 19 years old. He’s worked on his body, came in and did his work. Obviously, that shot is pure, but he puts a lot of time into it, and you guys can see it. He makes open shots, contested shots, and impossible shots. I think that’s the work that not a lot of people see, and his teammates see it.”
That work ethic has mattered as Brooklyn navigates one of the league’s youngest rotations. The Nets have committed minutes, responsibility, and trust to a five-player rookie class that’s learning on the fly, often against veteran-heavy lineups. The results haven’t always been clean, but the structure and energy have been consistent enough to register beyond the standings.
Kerr said as much after watching Brooklyn’s recent stretch, including its win in Minnesota.
“Looks like it’s working,” Kerr said. “I watched the Minnesota game, that was impressive. And I don’t know, I just think that every time we’ve played them over the last couple years, they’ve been energetic, well-organized, well-coached. So, you know, they came to our place last year and beat us. We came here last year, and it was like 24-to-6 right out of the gate. We had to fight to win at the end, so I just think they’re doing a great job. Jordi is doing a great job, his staff, player development, in the face of obviously a rebuild, but seven out of 10 wins, best defense in the league in December.”
That defensive identity has become Brooklyn’s calling card. Length, activity and communication have allowed the Nets to disrupt opponents even when shots aren’t falling. It’s also why Golden State approached Monday’s game with a clear understanding of the challenge ahead.
“They’re a long, athletic team at multiple spots, and they cause a lot of problems defensively with that activity,” Kerr said. “So, we’ve got to secure the ball tonight and execute.”
For a team still measuring success in steps rather than leaps, that kind of acknowledgment matters. The Nets aren’t claiming arrival. But they are establishing credibility, one possession and one response at a time.
