Brooklyn Nets Midseason Grades: Backcourt Edition

Bojan Bogdanovic is actually having a good year, but it’s being overlooked because of his counterpart, Sean Kilpatrick. Both players play the same position and have even started alongside each other, but Bogdanovic’s numbers have been overshadowed by Kilpatrick’s breakout season.

After his monstrous performance in the Rio 2016 Olympics, many people expected that level of play to carry over into his third year in the NBA. Over the course of six Olympic contests, Bogdanovic averaged 25.3 points, four rebounds, and two assists per game. Unfortunately, his summer performance has not equated into the same success this season.

RELATED STORY: Bogdanovic Makes His Presence Felt in Rio

While Bogdanovic isn’t posting Most Improved Player-worthy type numbers or even what fans expected from him, he is still having the best season of his short career, numbers-wise. The Croatian is averaging 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

Still, the 27-year-old swingman has his deficiencies, especially on defense. This was most evident in the Nets’ loss to the Chicago Bulls on December 28, with Bogdanovic guarding Jimmy Butler on the final possession. Butler easily created space with Bogdanovic barely on his heels and broke all Nets fans’ hearts after hitting the game-winner.

RELATED STORY: Bogdanovic Must Improve Defensively

Inconsistency has also been a major component of Bogdanovic’s game this year. The has had nine 20+ point games through the first 41 games of the season, but has also had 10 instances of games with 10-or-less points, including a scoreless performance in the Nets’ blowout loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bogdanovic is reputable as an offensive spark for Brooklyn, but many games have been a hit or miss for him.