Brooklyn Nets Team Power Rankings: Where Each Player Stacks Up
By Josh Rudy
3) Allen Crabbe
The highest-paid player on the Nets roster, Allen Crabbe comes to Brooklyn looking to prove his game is more than one dimensional. Known as a three-point deadeye, Crabbe finished second in the NBA last season in 3-point percentage (44.%), behind only Kyle Korver (45.1%).
He’d been dealing with an ankle injury that sidelined him for the first two preseason games, but impressed in his first action in a Nets uniform. In 10 minutes, Crabbe posted 14 points on 3-of-4 from downtown. That’s what he’s here to do.
Crabbe feels this is the perfect system for his style of play. The Nets front office must feel the same way, given their aggressive pursuit of the former second-round pick.
2) Jeremy Lin
Was LinSanity brought to Brooklyn last year? No, it was not. Will the popular phenomenon make a storming return this year? No, it will not.
What Jeremy Lin brings to Brooklyn is more than what ‘LinSanity’ brought to the Knicks. Lin represents what the coaching staff wants in a player: engaged, competitive and hungry.
Injuries plagued Lin last season, and ultimately led to the disastrous 20-62 record. With their healthy leader at the helm, this Nets team may surprise people. Remember, Jeremy Lin is convinced this is a playoff team.
1) D’Angelo Russell
Lin’s new backcourt mate, D’Angelo Russell takes the top spot in the Power Rankings. Throughout the preseason, it was made clear the offense will flow primarily through D’Angelo Russell. After all, the Nets traded their all-time leading scorer, and a first-round pick to grab Russell.
His feel for the game surely attracted the Nets front office, and they’ll spend little time acclimating Russell to the offense. He’ll be thrown straight into the fire, and he’ll be expected to orchestrate a high-octane offense. There will be growing pains, he’ll be under fire for shot selection, but at the end of the day, we need to remember one thing: he’s only 21 years-old.
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When times get tough, breathe. When the Nets look dysfunctional, trust the coaching.
This team has a vision, and for the first time in a long time, there’s a sense of youth and optimism surrounding the Nets heading into a season. Enjoy it, embrace it, but be patient.