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Amid a peculiar environment, the Nets perceive the Paris Games as a must-win occasion
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The Brooklyn Nets have been battered and shaking, and they can only hope that their landing and ongoing stay in the City of Light can provide them rejuvenation and season stability.
Before they took a trip to Paris, the Nets had endured a painful and embarrassing loss at the hands of the woeful Portland Trail Blazers. The Sunday defeat further forced them to crash in their 14-game stretch as they sustained their 11th loss within the said period.
Upon seizing a much-needed hoops break and with their NBA Paris Games against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the horizon, Brooklyn is locked in as they consider the matchup to be a must-win.
An unusual environment that still offers urgency to win
Accustomed to facing fans across the States, the Nets found oddity as they embraced a different set of supporters and basketball people in Paris.
Despite a much different crowd and site to play in Accor Arena, Spencer Dinwiddie fully understands that he and the team should only be focused on winning the marquee showdown against the Cavs.
“The energy of the fans and playing a game that is a little bit unusual adds extra motivation for sure,” Dinwiddie said. “We need the win regardless, with where we are in the season.”
A golden opportunity for the Nets
Like the entire group, Cam Johnson isn't taking this opportunity to play in front of the European fans for granted.
The Nets’ impending duel against the Cavaliers on Thursday at Accor Arena will be the NBA’s third regular-season game in Paris, Brooklyn’s second game in Paris, and the franchise’s 24th game outside of the United States — the most of any team in league history.
The fact is that they have to secure the win after their past rough stretch. Cam and the Nets are vying to perform at their best and give the best treat they can give themselves in their Paris tour.
“You don’t get that often,” Johnson said. “You don’t get that too often, so looking forward to it. … Playing in Paris gives you a little extra motivation. It is a regular-season game, but we need them. We need all that we can get, so the urgency is high for any game right now.
