Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Sorting out the Brooklyn Nets front-court

By Chris Milholen

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 19: Jarrett Allen #31 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets high five against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 19, 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 19: Jarrett Allen #31 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets high five against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 19, 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 12
Next
Brooklyn Nets
BOSTON – APRIL 11: Brooklyn Nets’ JarrettAllen makes a layup in between Boston Celtics’ Guerschon Yabusele (#30) and Greg Monroe during the second quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on April 11, 2018. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Jarrett Allen (Center)

Jarrett Allen was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in 2017. Throughout the season, Allen not only played the starting center position, but made himself a household name in the process.

Allen did a good job in his rookie campaign with the Nets, showing signs of great potential down the line and proving he was one of the steals in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets /

Brooklyn Nets

Now, as said briefly before, Allen is a traditional center who does not shoot away from the basket often. On the offensive end, his role is a paint presence and to stay down low. He played very well in Atkinson’s small-ball offense and got a good amount of touches each game.

Next season, expect Allen to have the same role but more touches. In the Summer League, he took a couple mid-range shots and even drained a corner 3. Now, will we see Allen shooting 3s next season? No.

Depending on Allen’s confidence with mid-range shooting, he might be seen shooting the ball more, making him a more dangerous threat on the offensive end.

With that being said, his expected main role on the offensive end will be an aggressive paint scorer and an offensive rebounder.

On the defensive end, Allen will have the same role as last season; the big guy down low. He will hold down the fort at the 5 and protect the paint. Allen is a block threat for attacking drivers and will have the job of making sure the ball does not get scored in the paint.

Now, if Atkinson wants to role the dice he can try to put Allen as a traditional 4. He will only put Allen at the traditional 4 if Kenneth Faried or Ed Davis are at the 5. Will we see Allen playing minutes as a traditional 4?

Most likely only very few, but it is a possibility due to Davis and Faried having more physical styles.