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Brooklyn Nets: 4 playoff takeaways from victory over Milwaukee Bucks

By Collin Helwig

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 06: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a lay up in the first half Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 06, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 06: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a lay up in the first half Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 06, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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D.J. Wilson #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks over Donta Hall #45 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

2. Keep an Eye on Jamal Crawford

We only saw Jamal Crawford play six minutes, but during that brief stint, he looked fantastic at the offensive end, eventually adding further salt to the wound when he reflected upon his likely unavailability going forward.

Crawford entered the game, and immediately created some space for himself thanks to his trademark shake-and-bake crossover. While driving, he dished ball to a cutting Hall for an open dunk, and then, on the next possession, knocked down a three while moving in transition.

https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets/status/1290713589138022404?s=20

Crawford finished with just three assists and five points, as he exited shortly thereafter, but those who watched Brooklyn’s first two games noticed how substantially he affected the offense while on the floor, helping generate space and opening things up.

Chiozza accomplished this as well on Tuesday, but to ignore Crawford’s own ability to create feels ignorant and potentially harmful, given the team’s ongoing look for help from essentially anyone at this point.

Unfortunately, however, the odds against a 40-year old hamstring stand tall, especially once one considers how carefully the Nets worked Crawford into their system to begin with prior to this point. But at least keeping a tab on Crawford still feels like a solid plan going forward, as his risk/reward ratio still appears incredibly favorable. Furthermore, his presence as a veteran during a playoff series against a team like the Bucks deserves some consideration as well.

If the Nets manage to build Crawford back up come playoff time, his brief yet notable success against Milwaukee might evolve into more fruitfulness for the Nets, so just hang onto him for now.