NBN Roundtable: Reflections on Brooklyn Nets’ 2016-17 Season
By Sandy Mui
2. Which Nets player impressed you the most in the 2016-17 season?
Sandy Mui (@sandymui1134): I was most pleasantly surprised by Caris LeVert. He came to Brooklyn through the Thaddeus Young deal, and I really loved Young. This made me skeptical over whether the trade was worth it, since Young was an important player on the Nets. However, LeVert has possibly established himself as a core piece on the team for years to come. He kept Nets fans waiting as he rehabilitated from foot surgeries, but the wait was well worth it. The fact that casual NBA fans and analysts can name LeVert speaks volumes to how impressive he was in his rookie year. It’s going to be an exciting few years for the Nets.
Andrew Hughes (@ARJHughes): Brook Lopez impressed me the most. As a low-post giant, Lopez always used his size and post skills to be one of the top scoring centers in the game. For him to start hoisting up three-pointers and making them at a respectable rate, he has shown a willingness to be part of Brooklyn’s plans for the future. The fact that he is so willing to be a part of the rebuild is a testament to his character. Lopez was the star of this Nets season. He just didn’t have the proper help needed to win.
RELATED STORY: Lopez is a constant in trade rumors, but should remain a Net
Christian Milcos (@ChristianMilcos): The easy answer to this question is Caris LeVert or Brook Lopez, but I’m going with a wildcard: Spencer Dinwiddie. This was by far Dinwiddie’s best season, as he put up 7.3 points per game on 47 percent shooting from the field. When the Nets picked up Dinwiddie, I felt as if they were scrapping the bottom of the barrel for a point guard and that there were better options on the market. Contrariwise, he proved to be a very reliable defender while being one of the most efficient players on the Nets. Brooklyn has him locked up for the next two seasons on a great value in what can be crowned one of Marks’ most savvy pickups.
Sean Costello (@SeanBKN27): Caris LeVert. This guy should be everyone’s answer. He looked like a future All-Star and franchise building block going forward. I expected him to show flashes and have his moments, but I never thought he would have done some of the things he did after returning injuries he suffered during his time at the University of Michigan. LeVert seems like he will be a mix of a few players — a bit of Kawhi Leonard, some LeBron James and a shooting stroke like Kevin Durant’s. That seems to sum him up pretty well. LeVert can flat out play, and it looked like Coach Atkinson’s talent of making players better struck again.
RELATED STORY: LeVert displays superstar potential in rookie season
Alex Cuesta (@ACuestaNBN): I could just take the easy answer and say the whole roster. Literally, not a single player on the team gave up at any time, and that’s a testament to the way the Nets prepare for and play each game. But, for the purposes of the roundtable, I have to say Isaiah Whitehead.
Whitehead was not even supposed to see a minute of NBA action this season. He was deemed a project after he was drafted and was bound to be sent to the Nets’ D-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. Injuries to both Jeremy Lin and Greivis Vasquez forced him into playing regular minutes, and I’m glad he did.
Like many players on the Nets, all Whitehead did was get better each and every single game. Early on, he struggled with ball control and forcing shots on offense, but steadily improved as the season went on. He became a mainstay off the bench and was a catalyst to most of the Nets’ rare wins.
Whitehead earned his place on the roster for next season. In what capacity I don’t know, but he definitely earned it. He needs to improve on finishing at the basket on drives, but one thing is for sure — he is a player I look forward to seeing play next season. #TheCyclone
RELATED STORY: Isaiah Whitehead 2016-17 grade
Malcolm Ireland (@MackyIreland): There are a lot of players that have impressed me this season. If I had to pick one though, it would be Joe Harris. This is a guy that the Nets signed in the offseason who had been without a team for about six months. The only thing I knew about him was he was supposed to be a good shooter, but he played on the Cavaliers‘ D-League team.
I expected him to get some minutes, but I really thought he would be sent down to the Nets D-League team sooner or later. I was wrong. He can really shoot the ball, and he earned himself a spot in the rotation. Considering what a surprise he was, he would have to stand out as the most impressive.