Brooklyn Nets: Player grades from disastrous finish(es) against Grizzlies
By Phil Watson
![Brooklyn Nets D'Angelo Russell. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) Brooklyn Nets D'Angelo Russell. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/24300dcc800661127164cb00bc8f73c94da34fa3db9071741aa4b4a766a1dede.jpg)
D. 38 MIN, 15 PTS, 6-for-11 (0-for-1), 3 REB (2 ORB), 1 AST, 3 PF, 1 TO, -11. PF. Brooklyn Nets. RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a terrific first half Friday night, but his second half included a disappearing act on offense and a brutally bad decision defensively.
Twelve of Hollis-Jefferson’s 15 points came in the first half as he was just 1-for-3 after the break. He had trouble on the glass with rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., who has four inches and some bulk on the veteran.
But it was his tendency for playing out of control that led to the poor mark in this game. Charging out recklessly on a 3-point shooter with a seven-point lead is simply an unforgivable mistake. You have to base your play on the situation, something RHJ continues to struggle with.
Brooklyn Nets. SHABAZZ NAPIER. B. 24 MIN, 18 PTS, 4-for-14 (2-for-7), 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 PF, 1 STL, 1 TO, 1 BLK, +5. PG
Shabazz Napier moved up in the rotation with Spencer Dinwiddie in the starting lineup and provided a nice spark offensively for the Nets, scoring a season-high 18 points.
He was 8-for-8 at the foul line, twice getting himself to the line on 3-point attempts because of his ability to fake with both the body and the ball.
That said, Napier can get a little shot-happy, a tendency he will likely always have — once the go-to-guy for a successful team in college, Napier will always default to “take the ball and get out of my way” mode.
When he’s going well, that’s great. When he’s off target like he was Friday, it can be a deterrent to good offensive flow.