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Brooklyn Nets: Who Has Been the Most Valuable Player So Far?

By Tyler Dencker

Nov 29, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard sean Kilpatrick (6) dribbles the ball while being defended by Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the second half at Barclays Center. The Wizards won 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard sean Kilpatrick (6) dribbles the ball while being defended by Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the second half at Barclays Center. The Wizards won 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Runner-Up: Sean Kilpatrick

Choosing Sean Kilpatrick as the MVP so far was definitely tempting.

Once Jeremy Lin, the presumed heart and soul of the new-look Nets team, went down with injury early on, questions about the team loomed. Everyone knew that someone needed to step up.

That man who stepped up was undoubtedly Sean Kilpatrick.

RELATED STORY: Kilpatrick Is Finally Shining

Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Kilpatrick immediately made his presence felt, adding a newfound energy off of the bench game after game.

Fast forward to now, and not only has Kilpatrick established himself a starting role, but his play has certainly exceeded expectations. According to hoopsstats.com, Kilpatrick is the 15th best shooting guard in the NBA in terms of difference efficiency. That’s a higher rank than Devin Booker, Rodney Hood, J.J. Redick, and Jordan Clarkson. Not too shabby for a guy who started his season on the bench.

The defining moment of Kilpatrick’s breakout came against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 29th. Kilpatrick dropped a career-high 38 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Nets to an OT victory over one of the then-best teams in the NBA. That game was arguably the best moment the Nets have experienced this season, and it wouldn’t have happened without him.

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Kilpatrick’s emergence on the Nets has not only created a solid replacement for Lin (for now), but he’s given fans something to be excited about. All of a sudden, Sean Kilpatrick has become a household name in the Nets community, and he’s simultaneously become a celebrity.

Don’t get me wrong – Kilpatrick has been extremely valuable to the Nets this season, and he is certainly the second most valuable player on the team so far. However, there’s still one player that can’t be ignored when addressing value.