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Brooklyn Nets: 5 reasons to get excited about the 2018-19 season

By Chris Milholen

UNIONDALE, NY - OCTOBER 11: A young Brooklyn Nets fan holds up the sign during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 11, 2017 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - OCTOBER 11: A young Brooklyn Nets fan holds up the sign during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 11, 2017 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 3: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

An expected breakout season for D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell has high expectations heading into the 2018-19 season. The Nets guard will be entering the final year of his rookie contract and is eligible for a rookie extension. If a rookie extension is not reached by October, Russell will become a restricted free agent in 2019.

The Nets guard had a good first season with the Brooklyn Nets last season. Russell shot the ball at a consistent level from all areas of the floor while playing great team basketball.

Unfortunately, Russell suffered a knee injury resulting in arthroscopic surgery. The knee injury would sideline the Nets guard for two months. When Russell was not on the floor for Brooklyn, the offense did not flow at a high level.

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    • The Nets had trouble getting the ball down low and instead would lean on contested outside shots.

    Last season, Russell averaged 25.7 minutes, 15.5 points and 5.2 assists per game. The Nets guard would start 35 of the 48 games he played in.

    Heading into the 2018-19 season, Russell has consistently worked on his game during the offseason. The Nets guard has worked on his body, gaining more muscle and mass. This will play a huge role in his driving game.

    After his knee injury last season, Russell did not drive the ball often, likely due to a lack of confidence in that knee. Before his knee injury, Russell was a dangerous driving guard who did a great job finishing at the rim and embracing contact.

    To go along with his hard-working offseason, Russell has been working on his shot from both 3-point range and mid-range. The Nets guard shoots the 3 ball at a high level and can really light up the scoreboard from behind the arc.

    In addition to the strong 3-point shooting, Russell can pull up from mid-range at a high level.

    With Russell working on his offensive game, leadership is the highest expectation Russell will face during the 2018-19 season. Russell’s new teammate, Jared Dudley, has talked to Russell about becoming the main leader of the Brooklyn Nets.

    Russell did a good job leading the Nets offense last season, but will have to step it up and be the main leader.

    The emergence of Russell as the unquestioned leader is very important not just for him, but the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets need Russell to be the main guy. The point guard does a great job controlling the Nets offensive tempo and making his teammates play at a high level.

    With Russell entering the final year of his contract, he will have to make his point of wanting to be the Nets long-term point guard.

    He has publicly said that he wants to be a part of the Brooklyn Nets for years to come, but with a huge 2019 cap space hovering over the Nets head, he has to prove he is here to stay.

    A breakout season is expected for Russell in 2018-19. If Russell can play at that high level like he did before his injury and during the final months of the season, he will not only make a strong point to Sean Marks but could land himself in the All-Star conversation.