Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 season primer: Building their way to relevance

Sometimes, More is Less

6-foot-7. 220 lbs. 7.9/5.7/1.8.

Those numbers are the height weight, and career averages for PPG, RPG, and APG (respectively) for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. None of those numbers really jump out at you, even despite the transition to playing small-ball. Did I mention he’s a career 23.5 percent shooter from deep? Yet, despite all this, RHJ started 50 games for head coach Kenny Atkinson. How did he do it?

Watch this video (it’s not even 90 seconds long), and then come back to the article.

That was probably the most boring 19 points you’ve ever watched scored in an NBA game, right? It almost lulled me to sleep watching it, but maybe that’s because I have 8 A.M.s every day, and I average 5-6 hours of sleep a night…. but I digress.

If you go back and watch the video again, you’ll see something – potential. RHJ has pretty decent handles for a guy his size, and isn’t afraid to put the ball on the ground to drive and get to the hoop. He’ll have to learn to not take it to try to take it to the hoop every time because he’s not consistent in kicking it back out, but (God-willing) he’ll have a healthy backcourt to play with that will alleviate ball-handling duties so that Atkinson can situationally use him as a point forward.

I think RHJ definitely still has room to grow, but if he can start to add more to offensive repertoire than short-fadeaways, layups, and dunks, don’t be surprised if he’s the reason they make the playoffs….. this season.

D(uh)-Leader(?)

Magic Johnson had this to say (via Bleacher Report) after D’Angelo Russell was traded:

"“D’Angelo is an excellent player,” Johnson said, per ESPN.com’s Baxter Holmes. “He has the talent to be an All-Star. We want to thank him for what he did for us. But what I needed was a leader. I needed somebody also that can make the other players better and also [somebody] that players want to play with.”"

To which D’Angelo Russell responded with this:

"[via CBS Sports] “Wherever they put me, I am going to take advantage of it to the fullest and that’s me being the leader right away,” Russell said. “I am looking forward to the challenge. You saying my leadership is being questioned, this is an opportunity to make the best out of it.”"

And possibly, a little preemptively with this:

While you could just attribute Russell’s comments to him trying to save face and/or establish goodwill with a new fanbase, I think that the comments were genuine. Only time will tell if I’m right.

Fitting a Round Peg Into a Square Hole

Kenny Atkinson is a Pop disciple, so naturally, his offense is more up-tempo and fast-paced. Timofey Mozgov is not either of those things.

So what now?

Atkinson could opt to bring Mozgov off the bench and throw first round selection Jarrett Allen into the frying pan immediately, but that could stunt his development; even on a team that still is years away from contending. So Mozgov will most likely be starting to begin the year, but could end up in a situation like he did in L.A. if Atkinson isn’t careful. It’ll be interesting to see what he does with his minutes.