快放弃挣扎吧！得分暴跌的他，仅是黄金辅助角色

NBA regular season is gradually coming to an end, and teams are starting to make their calculations. Take the Celtics, for example, with their impressive record, they have begun resting their key players to conserve energy for the playoffs. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are cleverly utilizing their advantage of playing one extra game, assessing their opponents carefully, and positioning themselves to either challenge for the top spot or settle for third, depending on the situation in the play-in tournament. However, some teams are facing challenges as the crucial moments approach. The Clippers, for instance, have recently witnessed a decline in performance, with Harden struggling on both ends of the court, leading to a significant drop in team morale. In response, there have been suggestions from the Los Angeles media to elevate Westbrook to the starting lineup and move Harden to the bench to manage his workload effectively. Additionally, despite an impressive 11-game winning streak, the Rockets' two recent losses have widened the gap between them and the Warriors, leaving them in a regrettable position.

This season, the competition in the Western Conference has been exceptionally fierce. The Kings, who secured the third spot in the West last season, have seen their ranking drop to eighth this season, despite an improvement in their win rate. Similarly, the Suns, who finished fourth in the West last season, have maintained a superior win rate but are currently ranked sixth. The Lakers, with a win-loss record of 20-8 since February, find themselves in the same position as they did in February, sitting at ninth in the Western Conference. In contrast, the Eastern Conference has seen teams like the Hawks and Bulls secure their spots in the play-in tournament with 36 wins each. However, the Nets, who are currently in 11th place, are 5.5 games behind the 10th-placed Hawks, effectively ruling them out of both the play-in tournament and the playoffs. The Nets' downfall this season can be closely linked to Bridges' performance.

Bridges' decline in form has directly impacted the Nets' chances of making it to the postseason. Despite the departures of Durant and Irving, the Nets' overall strength is not lacking, with Thomas averaging impressive statistics, scoring an average of 22 points per game. However, Bridges' recent underwhelming performances have dashed the team's hopes of reaching the playoffs. Over the past 15 games, Bridges' offensive output has dwindled, with a decrease in field goal attempts to just 14.6 per game and a plummeting shooting percentage of 39.7%. This decline in form has not only failed to demonstrate his leadership role but also hinted at a sense of frustration within the team.

Since joining the Nets, Bridges has been viewed as a 3-and-D player, suitable for a championship-contending team. However, the Nets' insistence on building around Bridges has proven to be a miscalculation. While he thrives in off-ball offense and individual defense, the Nets have tried to incorporate him into ball-dominant playmaking roles, which has resulted in inefficiency on the court. Moreover, the Nets' preference for Bridges has led to missed opportunities for rapid improvement. Despite offers from the Rockets to trade Bridges for Green and future first-round picks, the Nets rejected the proposal, opting to stick with Bridges as their focal point. However, Green's stellar performance in March, averaging 27.7 points and leading the team to a 13-2 record, has highlighted the missed opportunity for the Nets to acquire an explosive talent like Green and secure valuable draft picks.

In conclusion, the Nets' misplaced faith in Bridges has hindered their progress this season. While he may have shown promise initially, his recent struggles have exposed the flaws in the Nets' strategy. Moving forward, the Nets must reassess their approach and consider alternative options to rebuild their team effectively.