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Why Mike Muscala is Ideal Fit on Brooklyn Nets

By Christian Milcos

Nov 30, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the Super Mario Brothers tattoo on the shoulder of Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Hawks 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the Super Mario Brothers tattoo on the shoulder of Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Hawks 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Cavaliers 126-125 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Cavaliers 126-125 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential

One of the more promising aspects of Muscala’s resume is his improvement over three and a half years of playing in the NBA. Across the board, Moose has either seen an improvement or similar numbers from year to year. In this season alone, he posted career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, minutes and three-point percentage.

When he was given a large amount of minutes this season, Atlanta seemed to excel. The Hawks were 21-11 when Muscala played over 20 minutes in a game. This gives a strong indication that he still has room to grow, and what better place to develop then under his former assistant coach?

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While it appears Muscala has gotten off to a slow start overall in his career, he really has not been given a full season to showcase his talents. This is often a harsh reality second-round picks face when signing their first NBA contract.

Take Gortat for instance. He was selected in the second round, came off the bench for several seasons, landed a bigger role in his second NBA stop and broke out. While he rarely extends his range, Gortat’s per 36 minute stats are eerily similar to Muscala’s in each of their respective formative years’.

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The reality is, there is no telling what Muscala could be capable of when given 25+ minutes a night. Fellow stretch big Marc Gasol has played over 30 minutes a night since he was traded to Memphis as a rookie second-round pick. Perhaps Muscala could’ve earned these minutes from the start if he wasn’t competing with two All-Star caliber big men for playing time. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that Muscala and Gasol’s per 36 minute stats are nearly identical over each of their first three seasons.

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This is NOT insinuating that Muscala will be a three-time All-Star by his ninth season (or even anything close to that). It merely furthers the thought that there is no telling what the former Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year can accomplish when given a true opportunity. Muscala still has plenty of work to do physically before even coming close to approaching the level that Gasol is on. However, as he puts in the work, teams should be prepared to give him more of an opportunity.

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Whether it’s the Brooklyn Nets or another team, whichever franchise ends up with Muscala this summer should be willing to give him a large sum of minutes while staying in an optimistic frame of mind. He may take time to become acclimated to a bigger role, but his skill-set, efficiency and per 36 minute numbers indicate that he can become the first big off the bench, or a starting caliber stretch center one day.