Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Nets need big game from unheralded guard to stop Raptors magic

By Jerry Trotta

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Mike James #55 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 23, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 109-104. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Mike James #55 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 23, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 109-104. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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There aren’t many teams around the NBA that have had the Brooklyn Nets’ number this season, and the Toronto Raptors are one of the few exceptions.

As crazy as it sounds, the Raptors, who currently sit just one game out of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament with a 26-35 record, have won both meetings against Brooklyn this year, with their latest upset coming as recently as last week.

Like they have been all season, the Nets come into this matchup extremely banged up, as they’ll be without some of their most important players. In other words, head coach Steve Nash will have to rely on some unheralded role players more than he would like to.

Brooklyn unfortunately received more troubling news on the injury front when they announced that guard Bruce Brown, who’s made a major impact both as a starter and coming off the bench this campaign, will miss out due to a knee injury.

We hate to single out the new guy as somebody who needs to step up for the Nets, but recent signee Mike James has to lessen the load on Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. After all, the team will have just 11 (!) active players available for Tuesday night.

The Nets need guard Mike James to step up against Toronto.

With their backcourt decimated by injuries, the Nets inked James to a 10-day contract prior to last weekend. Appearing in his first NBA game in over three years, the former undrafted talent out of Lamar University chipped in eight points and two steals in 21 minutes in Friday’s win over Boston.

"“I liked playing a lot and having a star role,” James said after the win. “Just as you get older, I just don’t want to have that much responsibility on my shoulders every night. Playing 21 minutes a night is better for me and just not being as much of a focal point and just trying to help out. I feel like I can shine in that if I got the opportunity.”"

It’s a good thing James feels that way, because chances are the Nets rely on him for heavy minutes against the Raptors, who they need to beat in order to maintain their one-game cushion over Philadelphia for the top seed in the conference.

For those curious, here’s a look at who won’t be available for the Nets Tuesday night:

  • James Harden (hamstring)
  • Bruce Brown (knee)
  • Chris Chiozza (hand)
  • Alize Johnson (health and safety protocols)
  • Nicolas Claxton (health and safety protocols)

We’re obviously not asking James to go out there and be prime Lou Williams off the bench, as both Durant and Irving, who combined to score 74 points on 22-of-40 (55%) from the floor in Sunday’s win over the Suns, will be available to carry the load on offense.

With no Brown or Chiozza to provide a spark off the bench, however, James will likely be tasked with breaking down the Raptors’ second unit. If he was put in this position prior to the trade deadline, that’d be a tough ask, but Toronto traded away all of its depth, meaning he should be able to steady the ship while Irving catches his breath on the sidelines.