Predicting the Brooklyn Nets 2018-19 starting lineup

By Kunal Kohli | Dec 28, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 18: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Indiana Pacersm on October 18, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5 of 6

NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 27: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans fights for a rebound with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets at the Smoothie King Center on December 27, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Prediction: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

2017-18 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 6.3 TRB, 2.1 AST, 18.5 PER

Remember how Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could not play the three because he was needed somewhere else? Well, here he is.

Not to discredit DeMarre Carroll, who has also been crushing it this season, but The Hyphen has been an absolute monster. He has stepped up the most in Lin and Russell’s absences.

Just take a look at the leap he made from last season. He went from averaging 8.7 points per game to 14.7. That’s six more whole points. And he’s only averaging six more minutes per game. That type of improvement would basically guarantee the Most Improved Player of the Year award, if Giannis Antetokounmpo was not playing.

While Carroll brings size and three-point shooting, Hollis-Jefferson is the defintion of Brooklyn Grit. His willingness to get on the boards is incredible and name another player in the league that took on DeMarcus Cousins so willingly despite being four inches shorter and 44 pounds lighter.

The Nets could go down a lot of routes, even playing Jarrett Allen at the four. But none of those options would represent the team better than RHJ.