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Brooklyn Nets Most Improved Player: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

By Omri Benami

Dec 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Brooklyn Nets most improved player for the 2016-17 season was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. The second year forward progressed in many aspects of his game, while also undergoing a position change mid-season.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s most significant improvement came in his ability to stay on the court this season for the Brooklyn Nets. In a December practice during his rookie year, Rondae sustained an ankle fracture that caused him to miss 50 games, and appear in a total of 29 that season. This past season he appeared in 78 contests, starting in 50.

From an offensive perspective, Hollis-Jeffersons numbers improved from 5.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in year one, to 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game in year 2. Additionally, his usage rate increased from 13.5 to 18.7 percent, and his free throw rate from 71 to 75 percent. No doubt these figures will likely continue to improve in year 3.

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RHJ’s shooting percentage from between three and ten feet from basket nearly doubled, which made also helped make his transition to the power forward spot easier. He can be seen in this highlight video blowing past the Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis on numerous occasions:

Hollis-Jefferson was drafted to be an instant contributor on the defensive side of the ball, while Kenny Atkinson was tasked to harness those skills in his first season as Nets head coach. The results were tremendous for Hollis-Jefferson this season.

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His defensive field goal percentage improved from 47.3 to 45.3 percent on the back of a three point defensive field goal percentage drop from 42.2 to 33.7. That’s arguably elite perimeter defending, which contributed to a defensive win share increase from 0.7 to 2.2 in 2016-17.

The motor is evident as well, as RHJ contested 7.6 shots and deflected 2 passes per game this past season. Moreover, his high level of effort meant the second year player never gave up on the play. This video shows him posterizing Atlanta’s Taurean Prince on a play which seemed to originally be going the other way:

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This season was a strong one for the Brooklyn Nets’ 2015 draft pick. With Atkinson’s focus on player development already reaping benefits after just one year, look for Hollis-Jefferson to improve even more moving into year 3. Particular areas to look for are three point and jump shooting, in addition to crisp passing, leading to more assists.