Brooklyn Nets: Player grades from 107-102 loss to Knicks

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BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 3: Treveon Graham #21 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) /

B. 20 MIN, 11 PTS, 9 REB (4 ORB), 3 AST, 1 STL, +10. SF. Brooklyn Nets. TREVEON GRAHAM

At first glance, it would be easy to look at Treveon Graham’s 0-for-5 shooting from 3-point range and dismiss him as a shooter, even as it was his 40 percent career mark from deep and his tenacious defense that made him a bargain free-agent acquisition over the summer.

How do I know it would be easy to dismiss? After watching the game Wednesday night, that was exactly what I did. But upon a second viewing, there was a lot — a lot — to like about Graham’s play.

He was active defensively. He made some nice reads with ball movement to set up easy shots. And Graham was all over the glass.

He had a team-high nine rebounds, grabbed four on the offensive glass, and was aggressive in looking to drive, particularly once he figured out his deep ball just wasn’t there.

Now comes the disclaimer. He played the entire fourth quarter and that meant he was primarily up against the guys in New York uniforms who likely won’t have those uniforms in a couple of weeks — or less.

But Graham was also a plus-5 through the first three quarters, so he was doing good things before getting to put up some stats against the G Leaguers.