Brooklyn Nets Morning Dish: Jarrett Allen feeling the love

After a very satisfying win at Cleveland, the Brooklyn Nets Morning Dish is back, as center Jarrett Allen raves about a happy work environment in Brooklyn.

It’s a pleasant Brooklyn Nets Morning Dish on this Thursday after the Nets reversed their trend of getting punched in the mouth hard in the third quarter by blowing out the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night on the strength of a huge third-quarter burst.

Going into the game, an interview by Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype with Nets center Jarrett Allen detailed the attitude of a very happy kid who likes where he is.

Allen told Kalbrosky:

"“My first impression of this season is that everybody loves it here. The coaches, the GM, all the players, the ballboys — they love it here. We have one mission that we’re trying to do and we’re on the same path.”"

Allen’s game has grown from a solid rookie season when he emerged as the team’s starter for much of the second half of the year, as he’s averaging 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 28 minutes per game through the first four games on .618/2-for-5/6-for-11 shooting.

He reflected on the lessons learned so far and what he would have told himself heading into last season now that he’s been through the grind once.

"“Take your time and learn. When I first came into the league, I wanted to know everything. I’m realizing that it’s going to come with time. I know rookie seasons are really for learning.“I wish I had slowed down in the very beginning and just absorbed things more fully. You can’t retain everything.”"

He also said it’s a lesson he could apply to learning New York.

"“I’m starting to realize the depth of the city. Much like how I am with the NBA, I’m trying to take it all in when it comes to New York. That’s just a terrible idea. It’s impossible. There’s so much to it. I’m just trying to learn my area.“Everything I need is walking distance. I take the train sometimes. I want to be a known New Yorker. The train isn’t as bad as people think.”"

More on Allen and his growing shooting range

Michael Scotto of The Athletic (subscription required) also talked to Allen, specifically about the expansion of his shooting range.

After attempting just 15 3-pointers in 72 games last season, Allen has already taken five through the first four games this season, splashing two on three attempts in the season-opening loss at Detroit.

Allen has looked comfortable from the corners, but he’s also picking his spots carefully. Wednesday night in Cleveland, Allen didn’t attempt a 3-pointer — the first time all season he has not — but the opportunities weren’t there, either.

He’s still got a lot to polish, but Allen does play with a veteran’s calm when it comes to not forcing shots and recognizing when the opportunities are there.

More on LeVert’s big opening act

Caris LeVert turned a lot of heads with his performance in the first week of the season, when he had back-to-back 20-point games and was getting to the basket seemingly at will.

Larry Fleisher of Forbes.com raved about LeVert emerging as the team’s star during the first week of the NBA calendar.

LeVert was sizzling, no question, particularly when he penetrated for attempts at the rim or short jumpers in the lane. From the rim to 10 feet out, LeVert was 18-for-25 in the first three games and was hitting 60.9 percent of his jump shots.

He cooled off in Cleveland Wednesday night, but bounced back from a difficult first half in which he had just two points on 1-of-7 shooting to go 4-for-5 after the break.

The Cavaliers cooked up a defensive game plan that accounted for LeVert much more than he had seen in the early going. In the NBA, opponents learn fast when a guy is going white-hot the way LeVert had been.

Cool COOGI jerseys in the future?

Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily grabbed a screen shot of the Brooklyn Nets’ rumored City Edition jerseys for 2018-19 and they are straight fire.

The look appears to be an homage to 1990s hip-hop legend Biggie Smalls, the Brooklyn native who was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997 at the age of 24.

Biggie made the COOGI brand famous in his 1994 track “Big Poppa,” when he said:

"“However, living better now, COOGI sweater now.”"

These jerseys incorporate the COOGI theme of multi-colored madness into the trim while retaining the black-and-white look that has been the Nets’ signature since moving to Brooklyn in 2012.

Biggie would likely approve.