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Brooklyn Nets: 5 takeaways from preseason opening loss to Knicks

By Phil Watson

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 3: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball against the New York Knicks during a pre-season game on October 3, 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 - OCTOBER 3: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball against the New York Knicks during a pre-season game on October 3, 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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Brooklyn Nets
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: DeMarre Carroll #9 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day at the HSS Training Facility on September 24, 2018 in New York City. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

3. DeMarre Carroll struggled

DeMarre Carroll is one of the veterans on the Brooklyn Nets’ roster, entering his 10th NBA season and coming off what was statistically the best year of his career.

Let’s just write Wednesday night off as a veteran sort of easing his way into the season.

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Milwaukee Bucks add DeMarre Carroll to coaching staff
Milwaukee Bucks add DeMarre Carroll to coaching staff /

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    • Carroll started at the 4 Wednesday night, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still sidelined by the strained abductor muscle he sustained in August while playing in a charity game hosted in China by former Net Jeremy Lin.

    Caris LeVert, meanwhile, got the start at the 3, where Carroll played most of last season.

    Carroll no doubt struggled. He missed all five of his shots, including 0-for-4 from 3-point range (an epidemic shared by most of the roster Wednesday). In 20 minutes, he had two rebounds, an assist and two turnovers and had a minus-15 plus/minus.

    Offensively, Carroll seemed to be drifting at times rather than moving confidently from spot to spot. Could it be as simple as a bit of unfamiliarity with the position? That seems a stretch considering the mostly positionless nature of the pace-and-space system.

    Carroll’s a pro. He’s done this for a long time. The smart money is on this being the exception rather than the rule.