Brooklyn Nets: Player grades from streak-busting win at Washington

DeMarre Carroll has quickly reintegrated himself into the rotation of the Brooklyn Nets, with his 24-minute stint off the bench Friday marking his third straight game with at least that much playing time.

Friday was Carroll’s fifth game back since arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle was performed on the eve of the season opener and he’s still finding his touch, going 3-for-10 and hitting just 1-of-5 from deep.

But his adeptness of sensing contact and getting up a shot attempt to get free throws is in veteran mid-season form, as he turned the trick twice against the Wizards.

He’s shooting just .324/.250/16-for-18 in five games, but his stroke is looking cleaner every game. Because of his defensive versatility, Carroll is an important piece for Brooklyn moving forward and if he can start knocking down shots, his value increases that much more.

If we could just lose the once-per-game pass to the Notorious N.I.P. (no one in particular), Jared Dudley‘s play could be viewed in a slightly better light.

That said, he’s giving coach Kenny Atkinson exactly what he wants with the starting unit — a guy who moves the ball, doesn’t need it, does the little things and provides a calming veteran voice with what is otherwise a very young starting five.

Dudley doesn’t have the look of a great athlete. He borders on ungainly much of the time, such as when he nearly tripped himself while doing his 3-point celebration after his lone make from deep Friday night.

Yet he is quietly effective. He doesn’t score a ton, doesn’t rebound a lot, but just managed to be in the right place when he needs to be there and there is value to that, too.