Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

3 Nets players who clearly deserve more minutes

By Jordanna Clark

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets reacts to a foul call in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets reacts to a foul call in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets, Day'Ron Sharpe
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by: Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2. Day’Ron Sharpe

Sharpe is the only rookie that hasn’t started a game so far this year for Brooklyn. Yet, with the team’s lack of depth down low, that doesn’t make a lot of sense.

On Dec. 14 against Toronto, he had seven points, seven rebounds, and one block in … 13 minutes. Sharpe’s similar to Duke in the sense that he’s a true rebounder, except Sharpe’s six-foot-nine and Duke is six-foot-four.

Nash removed Blake Griffin from the starting lineup and the rotation completely in November in favor of LaMarcus Aldridge, but even during that time, Sharpe’s minutes didn’t see an increase.

He played in three minutes against Boston on Nov. 24 and then didn’t play in a game again until the Nets faced the Raptors on Dec. 14. And to be honest, Nash didn’t have much of a choice but to play Sharpe at that point.

Not long that after that, Sharpe entered the health and safety protocols. He came back against the Grizzlies and had six points and four rebounds in 9 minutes. The 20-year-old played a big role in chipping away at Memphis’ lead in the fourth quarter of the game.

Since returning from the protocols himself, Aldridge’s sat out with right foot soreness last Monday and is still dealing with lingering COVID-19 symptoms. The center’s still working to get his legs back underneath him, which should mean that Sharpe’s role will increase, however, he didn’t play at all against Indiana on Wednesday.

To put it simply, Nash has got to play Sharpe more. In the few minutes that he’s seen the court per game, he’s been effective.