LET THE ROOKIES RUN:
Why Brooklyn should rest their starters and reward the Nets young talent
With four games left in the regular season, the Kevin Durant-led Brooklyn Nets are right where NBA fans and pundits alike knew they would be: limping into the play-in game as a barely above .500 10th seed.
Over on the Locked On Nets Podcast, I outline on today’s episode why Brooklyn should rest Kevin Durant (and other key players) rather than push for a possible eighth or ninth seed in the Eastern Conference. Yes, the Nets are currently the away team in a win-or-go-home scenario, but the opportunity to play at 100% health behind a rested Kevin Durant is a risk Steve Nash should be willing to take.
Currently, both Seth Curry and Bruce Brown are day to day with injuries, while Goran Dragic navigates COVID protocols. These three players, after Kyrie Irving, are critical to Brooklyn’s playoff success and stand to benefit from a few extra games to fully mend.
There is however another value in the unconventional strategy as the NBA season concludes. Typically NBA title contenders are veteran-heavy rosters built around key superstars well versed in their supporting roles. Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, Goran Dragic, and James Johnson (surprisingly) are all veterans Brooklyn brought in to fit the bill. Unlike most high-profile teams - through injuries, mandates, and disgruntled superstar exits - The Brooklyn Nets were forced to use several young rookies throughout the season.
Cam Thomas was regarded as a talented prospect the Brooklyn Nets effectively stole with the 27th pick in the first round of the NBA draft. A microwave scorer capable of attacking at all three levels, Thomas has already shown steady growth as a facilitator while adapting to the rigors of a full NBA season. At the height of his usage, Cam Thomas averaged nearly 17 points with three rebounds and two assists across 26 plus minutes in February. While his scattered minutes since have been up and down, it is evident that the college starter came to life when given a consistent run game over the game.
Kessler Edwards, the second round Pepperdine product has played in 44 games, starting 22. While in and out of the lineup, Edwards has managed to average six points to go along with 3.5 rebounds while also being a sound defensive player. On a roster desperate for wing depth, Kessler Edwards has represented another second-round steal for Sean Marks and Brooklyn.
Day’ron Sharpe is the developmental big Brooklyn selected along with Cam Thomas in the first round. While Day’ron saw the fewest minutes among the rookie class, he does represent an athletic rebounder capable of using his NBA-ready frame to set screens and work in the pick and roll game. Though he did struggle with foul trouble during his 32 games, the North Carolina product also found his way to seven double-digit scoring performances behind his raw energy and power.
Here among these three rookies, we find Brooklyn’s opportunity. As established at the onset, the Nets have little to gain and much to lose over the final four games. Fatigue and injury have gone hand and hand with Brooklyn ever since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving joined forces in pursuit of a championship. Patty Mills is undersized and seemingly entrenched in a late-season funk, James Johnson is an athlete ball handler committed to an inconsistent style of play and LaMarcus Aldridge is healthy yet ill-suited for the fast-paced offense Kyrie Irving has inspired since his full-time return.
Four games. Four games for these three rookies (to say nothing of David Duke Jr.) to continue their surprising play and development. Starting Tuesday night, Brooklyn will play Houston, New York, Cleveland, and Indiana to close out the year.
Worst case? The young players provide rest for the veterans as they prepare for the playoff push. Kessler Edwards, Cam Thomas, and Day’ron Sharpe get a taste of late-season NBA intensity that carries over to the offseason and years to come. Best case? The young core wins! These players have already shown they are capable of playing and winning games at the NBA level. Whatever they achieve in the standings, if Brooklyn could instill confidence into this young group - the payoff in the playoffs could be enormous.
Cam Thomas is more than capable of providing a spark off the bench, giving Steve Nash a short leash option for Patty Mills would be ideal. Kessler Edwards might be the only 3 and D wing the Nets have, if given the option for who I want taking unguarded triples as defenses throw double teams at Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving - I am all aboard the “Kess Express.” Day’ron Sharpe will most likely do little to improve his postseason viability, but experience matters, and when push comes to shove and Andre Drummond or Nicolas Claxton get into foul trouble, knowing Day’ron will be sharp in relief can only bolster Brooklyn’s playoff depth.
Come what may, these young players have earned their stripes throughout one of the more unpredictable seasons in Nets history - why not meet history with youth and let the young guns fire Brooklyn into the postseason!
Adam Armbrecht covers Brooklyn Nets basketball with Doug Norrie on the Locked On Nets Podcast and hosts the One Giant Podcast, covering the New York Giants with Andy Mackiewicz.