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Brooklyn Nets’ Small Ball Beginning to Match Kenny Atkinson’s Vision

ByCharles Daye|
Mar 4, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) is fouled by Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the second half of the game at the Moda Center. Blazers won the game 130-116. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) is fouled by Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the second half of the game at the Moda Center. Blazers won the game 130-116. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has become the starting power forward for the Brooklyn Nets for the foreseeable future. With small ball lineups becoming the norm around the league, this might be a look at the future of Brooklyn basketball.

Kenny Atkinson’s influence on the Brooklyn Nets is now more apparent and obvious than ever. The Nets have gone “small” since the before the All-Star break, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson starting at the four next to Brook Lopez. Before the season, Atkinson wanted to run a more fast-paced offense, and this change in the starting lineup matches that philosophy.

The starting lineup Atkinson seems most confident in consists of Jeremy Lin running the point, the “Swing Bros” Caris LeVert and Hollis-Jefferson at the forward positions and of course, Lopez at center.

Especially with Lin back, the Nets are starting to look more like the team Atkinson envisioned. They are running a more fast-paced offense, scoring more in transition and focusing more on good looks, preferably from beyond the arc.

In their most recent contest, Brooklyn made a season-high19 three-pointers against the New York Knicks on Biggie Night. Lopez went 0-of-5 from the paint in the first half, but shot a perfect 5-of-5 from deep. He has never been known for his rebounding, but his partner in the paint, Hollis-Jefferson, grabbed 11 rebounds (and scored 14 points) in the win against New York.

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Hollis-Jefferson has averaged over 20 minutes per game for most of 2017. His minutes increased from 19.1 to 23.7 from January to February, which was around the time when he took over the starting power forward position. In that same time period, his rebounding has improved. He averaged 4.9 rebounds for the month of January, and that jumped to 7.5 for the month of February. His scoring also saw a slight increase from 7.6 to 9.6, when his shooting percentage improved from 44 percent to about 55 percent.

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Trevor Booker has embraced his role off the bench, as he is averaging 11.4 points and 8.2 rebounds over the last ten games. Booker leads the team in rebounds, averaging 8.5 on the season and has been one of the locker room leaders this season. Essentially embodying the “Brooklyn Grit” persona, Booker playing big off the bench is a big reason why the Nets rank second in bench scoring in 2017.

At times, Quincy Acy has been playing alongside Booker off the bench while Lopez gets a breather. Averaging 9.3 points and 3.6 rebounds since the All-Star break, Acy has been serviceable, to say the least. Acy has also shot 56.5 percent from deep post-All-Star break, which makes the frontcourt a perimeter threat even while Lopez is off the court.

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The Nets are 3-6 since returning from the All-Star break. While that doesn’t scream “world beaters,” it is encouraging, considering they did not win as consistently pre-All-Star break. Brooklyn has no reason to tank, and Atkinson wants to continue to build. So expect the Nets to show up and compete (like they have all season) for every remaining game.