…and Reality
The Nets struggled through the first couple of months of the season, compiling a 10 – 21 record through December and losing Lopez to a season-ending injury in the process. Garnett also failed to live up to expectations, averaging just 6.5 points per game, by far the lowest of his career to that point. The season wasn’t a total loss as Brooklyn did make the playoffs, but their sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference and second round playoff exit at the hands of the Heat were not anywhere close to what the team had hoped for.