Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: Top 10 Power rankings for the 2017-18 season

By Chris Milholen

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 25: The Brooklyn Nets bench celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 25: The Brooklyn Nets bench celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson talks to D’Angelo Russell
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson talks to D’Angelo Russell /

1. D’Angelo Russell

The second-year guard wants to be Brooklyn’s leader and the face of the rebuilding plan. Russell also has serious potential to become an Eastern Conference All-Star guard, however, he needs to remain healthy.

Russell started the season off to a strong start. In his Nets debut, the Nets guard went off to score 30 points shooting 4-8 from three and 12-22 from the field. Russell also racked up 7 assists and gathered 7 rebounds.

In Russell’s first 22 games, he averaged just over 20 points while dishing out 5.8 assists per game.

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On November 11th, Russell tweaked his knee late in the game against the Utah Jazz. The injury led to arthroscopic knee surgery and took Russell out of action till mid-January.

When Russell returned in mid-January, he had some confidence issues when driving the ball and on contact plays.

He would go on handfuls of cold-streaks scoring less than 10 points in several games.

Russell helped the Nets finish their season strong. He averaged 14.8 points in the last two months of the season while making his teammates around him  better.

Russell’s offensive play was an exciting sight to see. He thrived on catch-and-shoot plays and spot-up three pointers that would run up the scoreboard.