The Brooklyn Nets have made the NBA D-League a priority when it comes to adding talent to their roster. General Manager Sean Marks has signed players like Sean Kilpatrick and Archie Goodwin from the Association’s minor league, so it is safe to assume there will be more call-ups this offseason.
The Long Island Nets run the same system Head Coach Kenny Atkinson runs with the Brooklyn Nets. This gives management a good indication which players could find success if (and when )they are called up. Needless to say, if a player struggles with Long Island, chances are, he will not have “Brooklyn” across his chest.
Players like Chris McCullough and Yogi Ferrell had shown flashes in the D-League, but never found that success in Brooklyn. For McCullough, speed, strength and playing in the paint was an issue. So while he played moderately well, he never dominated like the Nets and fans wanted. Ferrell, on the other hand, just did not match Atkinson’s system and with so many guards on both rosters, someone had to go.
Between system play, offseason acquisitions, draft selections and roster spots, the Nets are in for another busy offseason. This time next year, the roster will look drastically different, probably with more D-League alumni in Brooklyn’s rotation. It will be interesting to see which Long Island Nets show and prove during Summer League and training camp.
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Beau Beech
Beau Beech is a 6-foot-7 small forward out of North Florida. He spent all four years in college and averaged 11.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 133 games. His best season was definitely his senior year, when he averaged 15.4 points on 45.5 percent shooting, along with 6.4 rebounds per game.
After going undrafted, Beech signed with Long Island. In his first professional season, he averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and one steal in 19.3 minutes over 36 games (12 starts). Though his averages are not as impressive, the North Florida forward has put up some big games.
Beech played for the Nets’ Summer League team last year and will likely be on the summer squad again this year. He seems to fit Atkinson’s three-point oriented offense. If he were to get called up, he would probably play the same role Joe Harris had.