Sports & Perspective
Jahlil Okafor wanted a new home with more playing time, the Brooklyn Nets said come on down.
Okafor got his wish on Thursday, when reports surfaced that the Philadelphia 76ers will trade Okafor, Nik Stauskas and a 2019 second-round pick to the Nets in exchange for forward Trevor Booker. Continue reading “Nets Do It Again With Impressive Trade for Jahlil Okafor”
The Nets may have uncovered a new role for Caris LeVert which can benefit both sides. The youngster is beginning to thrive as a spark in their second unit.
Injuries to Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell have created an opportunity for head coach Kenny Atkinson to settle on a rotation with defined roles.
With Spencer Dinwiddie and Allen Crabbe finding their groove as the new starting backcourt, LeVert has become Atkinson’s energy guy off the bench.
After getting off to a tough start this season finding his shot, Levert is beginning to pick it up. This past week, in a loss to the Celtics, he scored 15 points, on 6-of-7 shooting, in 22 minutes. He followed that up with a 10-point effort, also in 22 minutes, along with four rebounds to help Brooklyn defeat Utah.
LeVert can shoot the three, but he’s now slashing more to the basket and getting high-percentage shots. He has hops and shows it whenever he’s out on the fast break. Atkinson loves his effort on defense.
It shouldn’t go unnoticed LeVert’s improved play also aligns with Dinwiddie taking over as the starting point and Crabbe finding his own comfort zone off the ball. The Nets are beginning to find their rhythm on offense with players becoming more comfortable in their roles.
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At 6’7, he has the tools to excel long-term at whatever role the Nets have for him.
Right now, however, they need his energy off the bench. He can contribute positive minutes from the point, play defense, and create favorable matchups on the perimeter.
He’s taller than Vinnie Johnson, but LeVert has “microwave” potential for the Nets as their sixth man. He has the ability to check into a game and create instant offense with his athleticism.
In this time of transition for LeVert and the Nets, this will only serve as a plus for both sides in the short-term and the bigger picture.
The narrative for the basketball landscape in New York City lately has centered around the Knicks and Nets heading in different directions.
The Knicks are under new management with team president Steve Mills and general manager Steve Perry. On the court, the trade of Carmelo Anthony signaled the official beginning of the Kristaps Porzingis era.
Brooklyn is in year two of a massive rebuild which has caught the attention of everyone around the league.
Where the Knicks have struggled with cohesion, the Nets have thrived. For proof of this, all you would have to do is take a quick look at the standings.
Coming into Friday night’s matchup at Madison Square Garden, the Nets were 3-2 and coming off of an impressive home win over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, not only were the Knicks looking for their first win of the season –- they were also looking to silence any whispers of their team heading in the wrong direction.
There was plenty to feel encouraged about for Knicks fans, starting with the play of point guard Frank Ntilikina.
The Brooklyn Nets are on the good side of a conversation again, their fans can thank Sean Marks for that.
While the Knicks continue bringing laughter to office water coolers and beyond, the Nets are turning heads.
One move at a time, Marks has put Brooklyn back on the city’s radar. Continue reading “Sean Marks has the Nets back on New York City’s radar”