1. DeAndre Jordan
If everything goes according to plan, the Nets’ frontcourt playoff rotation will feature the likes of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Blake Griffin, and Nicolas Claxton.
While that group doesn’t boast tremendous size, each of them are capable of defending multiple positions, which means Brooklyn should be able to get away with playing small most of the time.
We would personally endorse Alize Johnson getting some minutes, but that’s likely a pipe dream given his lack of experience. Whatever ends up happening, however, the DeAndre Jordan experiment must come to an end come playoff time.
The Nets cannot afford to play DeAndre Jordan in the playoffs.
The only times Jordan should see the floor is in a blowout or if some of the Nets’ other bigs are in foul trouble. It’s worth noting he did a solid job defending Joel Embiid earlier in the season, so perhaps he’s utilized as a defensive specialist in a potential matchup vs Philly … but we wouldn’t hold our breath on that coming to fruition.
The bottom line is Jordan has been detrimental to Brooklyn’s success all season. In 57 games (all starts), he’s averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He also has a plus-minus of -42 for the year, which is laughable when you consider who he’s been sharing the floor with.
At this point in his career, Jordan, though he comes up with a big block on occasion, is rarely effective on defense and bird watches on rebounding opportunities. Because of that, coupled with the Nets’ viable front court depth, Jordan should be firmly axed from the playoff rotation.
Brooklyn Nets: Worst-case play-in tournament scenario for BK
Of the four teams the Brooklyn Nets could theoretically play in the play-in, the Boston Celtics should be the squad that the Nets fear the most.