Brooklyn Nets: Player grades from yet another late fold against Jazz
By Phil Watson
C-. 19 MIN, 2 PTS, 1-for-3 (0-for-1), 3 REB (1 ORB), 3 PF, 2 TO, 0. SF. Brooklyn Nets. DEMARRE CARROLL
DeMarre Carroll was a game-time decision for the Brooklyn Nets after being listed as questionable on Tuesday due to soreness in his right foot.
He wound up getting the green light, but had a tough time against the Utah Jazz. He didn’t seem to have his usual bounce, got caught grabbing at the defensive end frequently and turned the ball over twice in just 19 minutes.
Coach Kenny Atkinson’s loyalty to his veterans is commendable, but having a glut of players at the 3 and 4 spots really doesn’t help if so many of them are making inconsequential contributions. To wit …
C-. 18 MIN, 1 REB, 1 PF, 1 STL, 1 TO, -1. PF. Brooklyn Nets. JARED DUDLEY
Jared Dudley had a nice defensive play against a driving Jae Crowder. He got a steal when he was in the right place to corral a bouncing ball.
Dudley also delivered his near-nightly edition of “where was that supposed to be going?” passing with his lone turnover being a complete air-mail job in the general direction of some person in the second row.
And he took up space on an NBA basketball court for 18 minutes Wednesday night.
I love Dudley’s demeanor, his professionalism, his willingness to mentor the younger guys. But the NBA is not a place where just being there is 75 percent of the battle.