NBA: Brook Lopez still optimistic about Brooklyn's future

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<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/05/29/brook.jpg' ></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – The Brooklyn Nets' campaign in the 2016-17 NBA season was undoubtedly disappointing, as they won only 20 games and finished with the worst record in the league.To make matters worse, the Nets did not even get a consolation prize – a high draft pick – for their troubles. Their first round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft went to the Boston Celtics, thanks to the 2013 trade that brought Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn. That turned out to be the top pick in a loaded draft.Instead of getting the No. 1 pick, Brooklyn will instead have to settle for the 22nd and 27th pick in the first round.The franchise's recent history does not inspire confidence, but their All-Star center, Brook Lopez, believes there is reason for optimism."I think there is a lot of positivity," said Lopez. "Our record wasn't spectacular, but we all felt that we grew a lot.""We really improved, and our team never showed any quit," he stressed. "Those are important things to have."<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='http://sports.abs-cbn.com/nba/news/2017/05/29/lopez-lauds-blatche-s-natural-partnership-gilas-26630'>READ: Lopez lauds former teammate Blatche’s ‘natural partnership’ with Gilas</a></li></ul>Lopez was one of a handful of veterans in Brooklyn, and their No. 1 option on offense, especially with point guard Jeremy Lin struggling with injuries all throughout the season.However, he holds their younger players in high regard, believing they have made good progress as their campaign went along. He also expressed great trust in Kenny Atkinson, their rookie coach, and general manager Sean Marks."We really believe that we're building that great foundation," Lopez said. "We can really do something down the line, if we continue to play the way we have."Coming off his eighth season in the NBA, Lopez figures to remain an integral part of the Nets for the near future. He signed a three-year extension back in 2015, and last April, he became the leading scorer in the history of the franchise."It's a big honor to have that record," said Lopez, who now has 10,444 career points. "I think it's just a tribute to the kind of players that I played with in these last nine years.""Moving forward, I'm just going to do whatever I can to help my team be successful," he added. "We have such a great group of guys who really have that same 'team first' attitude.""We really we believe we can keep doing something special, as long as we put the effort in, and the work in."For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href='http://sports.abs-cbn.com' target='_blank'>Sports website.</a>

The franchise's recent history does not inspire confidence, but their All-Star center, Brook Lopez, believes there is reason for optimism."I think there is a lot of positivity," said Lopez. "Our record wasn't spectacular, but we all felt that we grew a lot.""We really improved, and our team never showed any quit," he stressed. "Those are important things to have."<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='http://sports.abs-cbn.com/nba/news/2017/05/29/lopez-lauds-blatche-s-natural-partnership-gilas-26630'>READ: Lopez lauds former teammate Blatche’s ‘natural partnership’ with Gilas</a></li></ul>Lopez was one of a handful of veterans in Brooklyn, and their No. 1 option on offense, especially with point guard Jeremy Lin struggling with injuries all throughout the season.However, he holds their younger players in high regard, believing they have made good progress as their campaign went along. He also expressed great trust in Kenny Atkinson, their rookie coach, and general manager Sean Marks."We really believe that we're building that great foundation," Lopez said. "We can really do something down the line, if we continue to play the way we have."Coming off his eighth season in the NBA, Lopez figures to remain an integral part of the Nets for the near future. He signed a three-year extension back in 2015, and last April, he became the leading scorer in the history of the franchise."It's a big honor to have that record," said Lopez, who now has 10,444 career points. "I think it's just a tribute to the kind of players that I played with in these last nine years.""Moving forward, I'm just going to do whatever I can to help my team be successful," he added. "We have such a great group of guys who really have that same 'team first' attitude.""We really we believe we can keep doing something special, as long as we put the effort in, and the work in."For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href='http://sports.abs-cbn.com' target='_blank'>Sports website.</a>

To make matters worse, the Nets did not even get a consolation prize – a high draft pick – for their troubles. Their first round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft went to the Boston Celtics, thanks to the 2013 trade that brought Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn. That turned out to be the top pick in a loaded draft.Instead of getting the No. 1 pick, Brooklyn will instead have to settle for the 22nd and 27th pick in the first round.

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/05/29/brook.jpg' ></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – The Brooklyn Nets' campaign in the 2016-17 NBA season was undoubtedly disappointing, as they won only 20 games and finished with the worst record in the league.

The Brooklyn Nets' campaign in the 2016-17 NBA season was undoubtedly disappointing, as they won only 20 games and finished with the worst record in the league.

The Brooklyn Nets' campaign in the 2016-17 NBA season was undoubtedly disappointing, as they won only 20 games and finished with the worst record in the league.

NBA: Brook Lopez still optimistic about Brooklyn's future | ABS-CBN News

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NBA: Brook Lopez still optimistic about Brooklyn's future

NBA: Brook Lopez still optimistic about Brooklyn's future