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Brooklyn Nets: 2 players impressed the most in preliminary round

By Chris Milholen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Shawn Dawson #18 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Melvin Frazier Jr. #35 of the Orlando Magic during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Magic defeated the Nets 86-80. 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. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Shawn Dawson #18 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Melvin Frazier Jr. #35 of the Orlando Magic during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Magic defeated the Nets 86-80. 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. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets summer team squad is filled with young talent fighting for the last couple roster spots. Who are the two Nets who impressed the most so far?

The Brooklyn Nets did not have a smooth preliminary round of the 2018 NBA Summer League. Brooklyn did not play Dzanan Musa nor Rodions Kurucs; the Nets’ two picks in June’s NBA Draft. The Nets did not play Caris LeVert, either, but Jarrett Allen took the court.

Brooklyn went 0-3, but winning is not everything in the Summer League. Although going 0-3, there were a couple of Brooklyn Nets that played great and are in conversation for a roster spot for the 2018-19 season.

Below are the three Nets who deserve consideration for their preliminary round play.

Shawn Dawson

Shawn Dawson had professional basketball experience before playing on the Nets’ Summer League team. Dawson has been a professional basketball player in his native country of Israel since 2012.

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Throughout his professional career in the Israeli Premier League, he has played consistently and averaged the same numbers. Dawson decided to test the 2015 NBA Draft, but he went undrafted and returned to Maccabi Rishon LeZion in Israel.

The 24-year-old has a decorative resume playing in Israel which caught the eyes of the Brooklyn Nets.

  • Israeli League Champion (2016)
  • All-Israel First Team (2015)
  • 4x Israel League All-Star
  • All-Israel Second Team (2016)
  • Israel League Rising Star (2015)
  • Israel League Most Improved Player (2014)

The 2018 NBA Summer League was a huge opportunity for Dawson to prove himself. Well, he did just that. He played great throughout the Summer League, both starting and coming off the bench for the Nets.

On the offensive end, Dawson is a dangerous scorer. He is a cold-blooded shooter who can score from all areas of the floor. He has a silky smooth lefty shot which is hard for defenders to get a hand on. Dawson is a consistent 3-point shooter.

He can shoot off the dribble or spot up from behind the arc. He is also a great driver. His height gives him the ability to drive with confidence and finish at the rim. While driving, Dawson can also pass the ball to outside shooters or a quick drop-off pass to a cutter.

On the defensive end, he shows effort and passion for that end. He plays tight defense and does not let his opponent get too much room. Dawson forces his guarded played to pass the ball and not drive down the lane.

With his size, he is able to guard the backcourt and at the 4 position. The 6-foot-6 rising star is a steal threat with his length and can also get up and block some shots. In the preliminary round, he did not show off his blocking ability, but has shown that part of his game in Israel.

Brooklyn should consider offering Dawson a roster spot. Due to the Nets’ guard situation, it will be hard to land a roster spot at that position, but he could be a good wing option off the bench.

Sean Marks, the Nets general manager, should give Dawson a G-League roster spot to see how he plays against bigger competition. It’s worth pointing out that Dawson, an established star in his home country, might not want to take the necessary pay cut for life in the G-League.

Yuta Watanabe

Yuta Watanabe proved he can play in the preliminary round. He was a huge X factor for Brooklyn on the offensive end showing he can shoot and fit well in a small ball offense.

Watanabe was not drafted in this past NBA Draft but is proving he deserves to be on an NBA roster. Well, he is doing a good job proving that.

At the small forward position, Watanabe is 6-foot-9, which comes with a big advantage. For his size, he is versatile and can put the ball on the floor. He does not pass the ball too much and can be careless at times, but his shooting makes up for it.

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    • Watanabe is a great 3-point shooter. The small forward likes to shoot the 3 ball in transition and off the dribble. He does shoot spot-up 3-pointers well also. He can drive the ball through contact and can finish at the rim, but did not show a lot of that aspect in the preliminary round.

    On the defensive end, he is a blocking machine. Watanabe is not afraid to meet players at the rim and pin shots off the backboard. His length is a huge asset in his blocking game.

    Throughout the Summer League, opposing players had trouble shooting over Watanabe, resulting in blocked shots or misses.

    The small forward can fit very well with the Brooklyn Nets. His strong shooting and defensive presence is something Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson would like to have off the bench. If he did make the Nets roster, he would not see a lot of minutes and have a different role.

    His role would be to come off the bench and score.

    According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Summer League head coach and Nets assistant Jacque Vaughn has very high praise for the 23 year-old small forward.

    "He’s making me more comfortable, the coaching staff, for sure. He’s probably been our most consistent player, practices and games included. So I give him credit for that."

    If Watanabe makes the Nets roster, he will make NBA history being only the second Japanese-born player to reach that level. Right now, he is just focusing on making the NBA level and acheiving that childhood dream.

    "Since I was little kid, tiny, I was dreaming this. I’m thinking I don’t want to be an NBA player because I’m Japanese. I want to be an NBA player because I’m a basketball player like everyone else. It means a lot to me.But honestly I don’t really care about where I come from or who I am. I just want to prove myself that I am NBA level."

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    He should get some serious consideration for a roster spot with the Brooklyn Nets. He was not only one of the Nets’ leading scorers in the preliminary round, but one of the most consistent players on both ends of the floor. Watanabe has also become a fan favorite in just three games.