DeMarre Carroll has been a revelation this year for Brooklyn Nets
By Omri Benami
The acquisition of DeMarre Carroll in the offseason was seen as a salary dump move for the Brooklyn Nets. General Manager Sean Marks was able to acquire two draft picks, including a first, from the Toronto Raptors. Carroll has turned out to be much more for the Nets this season.
DeMarre Carroll was a year removed from major knee surgery. His 2016-17 season, which was his first full season back, was a struggle. Thus the expectation going into this year was more of the same.
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The draft picks were the most important part of the deal for Marks, as he continued to stockpile assets. Carroll also had success in Kenny Atkinson’s system when he was in Atlanta. In the 2014-15 season, Carroll averaged 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assist on nearly 49 percent shooting.
In his ninth season in the league this year, Carroll has essentially replicated those numbers, if not exceeded them. He’s averaging 13 points per game, and leading the Nets in rebounds with 6.8. His shooting percentages are down somewhat, but his usage is also at a career high 19.7 percent.
A deeper into his advanced stats shows he has both a positive offensive and defensive win share this season. Along those lines, his effort and energy on the defensive end has really stood out.
It seems like every game, Carroll is stealing the ball on an opponent’s inbound pass. He is constantly tasked with guarding the oppositions better scorers at the wing. His effort has also rubbed off on Brooklyn’s younger players in a big way. Caris Levert, Spencer Dinwiddie, even Allen Crabbe have all stepped up on the defensive end this year.
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With all the ups and downs, this is still a development year for the Brooklyn Nets. Therefore, Carroll’s impact can’t be understated. He fills up the stat sheet on a daily basis.
Last night, in Brooklyn’s win against the Heat, he matched a career high with 26 points, and added six rebounds and two steals:
Over his last five games, he has really stepped it up with averages of 17 points, 7.8 rebounds, two assists, and nearly two steals per game. He’s shooting 52 percent from the field and over 42 percent from three as well.
At one point, Carroll’s contract was considered an albatross. He now has one year remaining on his deal after this season at $15.4 milliion. The way he’s been playing, and with the intangibles he provides, it’s hard to see him not being worth that sum.
Caroll and the Nets will look to string together back to back wins tomorrow afternoon, when they travel to Detroit. They will look to avenge their blowout loss to the Pistons earlier this month. Tip is at 4 o’clock EST.