Four Positives For the Brooklyn Nets at the All-Star Break

The Reckless Abandon of Trevor Booker

Personally, I didn’t think much of Trevor Booker when the Nets signed him to a two-year, $18 million deal this past offseason. I thought he was a perfectly fine backup power forward who would look overmatched against starting-level units.

I’m happy to admit I was wrong. Booker hasn’t won a ton of his matchups at the four, but he’s been a delight to watch virtually every night. The guy just plays so hard.

He’s sprinting almost the entire time he’s out there, throwing his body into defenders and roaring to the crowd when he finishes underneath.

Watching Booker soar for a defensive rebound, come down with the ball, and immediately start dribbling upcourt like he’s John Wall is one of the most entertaining subplots in every Nets game this season.

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It might not go well, but it always puts you on the edge of your seat.

Booker’s ferocity even earned a shoutout from ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

"“Booker is a bright spot in every dreary Nets loss – a sneering ruckus rampaging coast-to-coast after snagging a defensive rebound. He is fast, and he is mean, and he is not afraid to pick up his dribble, smash his shoulder into your chest, and float the ball in as you crumble to the floor.”"

The energy Booker brings has been invaluable this season. It is easy for a team to succumb to the amount of losing the Nets have endured, but Booker’s tenacity has been key to staving that off. Atkinson has succeeded in making his team compete every night, and much of that is because of Booker.