Highlights
Foye’s Brooklyn Nets season highlights should start (and end) with his buzzer beater against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 26. It was a personal turning point for Foye, who received four straight DNP-Coach’s Decisions in December.
With a Jeremy Lin injury in the second half, Foye was called upon to lead the team and be a guiding presence. The dramatic basket gave Brooklyn the 120-118 victory. The game-deciding three-pointer that Foye buried were his first and only points of the Nets’ victory. Let’s relive that moment…
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Additionally, Foye contributed some solid performances later in the season. In the Nets’ victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on March 6, Foye poured in 14 points. He went 4-of-4 from the three-point line in the Nets’ solid team victory. I believe that I chose Foye as my “Wildcard” in the Takeaways and Grades for that game. His highest scoring game was 16 points in the Nets’ 27-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Foye was probably inserted into the Nets’ starting lineup to add a dose of defense. The veteran showed a knowledge of the game for the Nets. While he may not have been the most effective on offense, Foye took on all challengers. One example of that was the Nets’ March 16 victory against the New York Knicks. He defended Carmelo Anthony for portions of the game, as Melo finished the game with an inefficient 6-of-18 shooting. While Foye’s defensive rating of 113 was not terribly encouraging, he stepped up when needed.
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A Veteran Leader
Foye’s leadership for the Brooklyn Nets should not be understated. Even when the Nets struggled, Foye always competed. For example, Foye was seen diving on the floor in the fourth quarter with the Nets down by over 20 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. When K.J. McDaniels and Archie Goodwin joined the Nets late in the season, Foye was seen talking on the bench with the newest Nets. He sat next to them throughout the whole game, as a teacher.
Here’s Foye dropping some knowledge on Isaiah Whitehead early in the season…
Randy Foye showing @BrooklynNets rookie Isaiah Whitehead a thing or two before tip-off. #NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/lPKhkcrU6B
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) November 2, 2016
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As fans, we don’t see what happens in practice or on the road. In a disappointing season, veteran leadership is needed to keep the team positive. Foye did that with his play and likely continued to be a role model for the young Brooklyn Nets off the floor, as well with a positive demeanor.