3 Brooklyn Nets players who must step up immediately
The Brooklyn Nets are 2-3 on the year, and even though there are plenty of games left to be played, things are going to need to change. Kevin Durant can’t continue to carry the offensive load alone. For a team with such high expectations, there’s still a ton of potential that needs to be unlocked.
Steve Nash is still working through his rotations, and with Kyrie Irving out, he’s had his work cut out for him. When he’s on the court, Irving is one of the best point guards in the league. His absence has left a void in the starting lineup, and so far, James Harden hasn’t been able to match Durant’s level of production and intensity.
There’s no need to overreact yet. We all know that when this team meshes together, they’ll be unstoppable. There’s still work that needs to be done to get to that point, though.
Who needs to step up to ensure that Brooklyn can start winning more games than they lose?
Brooklyn Nets: 3 players that need to step up ASAP
3. Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin agreed to a buyout with the Detroit Pistons back in February and then made his way to Brooklyn in March for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. He proved to be a valuable asset for the Nets during the playoffs, which is why as a free agent he decided to stay with the team on a one-year deal.
So far this season, Griffin hasn’t been at his best. He’s averaging 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 points in the four games that he’s played in. He was out due to rest for Brooklyn’s home-opener against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
In the 26 games that the six-foot-nine power forward played in for the Nets at the end of last season, he averaged 10 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He was diving on the floor after loose balls and throwing down dunks. It was almost as if he was back to his younger self again. That was after Griffin was cast into the mix for Brooklyn, but he then got to spend an entire offseason with the team. Not to mention, he didn’t have to worry about rehabbing from an injury.
The Miami Heat out-rebounded the Nets on Wednesday, 62-42, and outscored them in the paint, 48-34. Griffin only played in 19 minutes of that game, but he finished with a mere four rebounds and six points. Brooklyn is relying on his big-man presence down low and he needs to start playing like it. Also, it wouldn’t hurt for him to start knocking down a couple of three-pointers, either.