As the Nets continue developing their young players, Brian Lewis of The New York Post has identified a key development of the season so far in D’Angelo Russell‘s lack of crunch-time minutes.
As Lewis points out, Russell sat out the last 5:42 of regulation and the entire overtime in the Nets’ win over the Pistons, logged just 1:31 in the fourth quarter on Oct. 24 against the Cavaliers, and never got off the bench in the fourth quarter of the season opener. That is all in addition to Russell not seeing a single minute in the fourth quarter of the Nets’ loss to the Rockets on Friday.
It’s no secret that Russell struggles on defense, but it’s more of a result of the depth on the roster and coach Kenny Atkinson’s focus on riding the hot hands and playing lineups based on match-ups. In fact, every Nets starter other than Caris LeVert has sat an entire or essentially all of a fourth quarter this season.
The key might be for Atkinson to figure out a way to get Russell on the floor alongside Spencer Dinwiddie and LeVert, a trio that has not had success up until this point.
There are still plenty of opportunities left for Russell to make plays when it matters most, but this trend is one to keep an eye on as Russell approaches restricted free agency and the Nets look to make a marquee signing this summer.
There’s more from the Atlantic division:
- Marc D’Amico of the Celtics‘ website reveals that Gordon Hayward‘s minutes restriction has increased in recent games. Previously, Hayward was limited to 25 minutes per game, but Brad Stevens admits that Hayward will play more as the season unfolds.
- Amidst all of the potential trade rumors surrounding Jimmy Butler, the Sixers have been mentioned as a possible suitor as they look to add a third star alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. However, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer questions the cost of adding a player of Butler’s caliber and skill set to their current roster.
Dinwiddie will be starting for someone else next year, because BRK’s star-recruiting will go better with Russell as a draw.
Brad Stevens and Gordon Hayward returned to where they grew up and lost to the Pacers 102-101 as Victor Oladipo stole a pass and hit a 3 with seconds to go. Hayward shot 2-10 from the field, 0-5 from 3 in front of his hometown crowd. This was the reverse of last year when Terry Rozier stole a Bojan Bogdonovich pass with 3 seconds to go and layed it in for a 1 point victory.
This means nothing. Appreciate the comparison but it’s one game.
It means a lot to the Pacer fans in Indiana, especially the ones who attended the game.
The Lakers game against the Raptors tonight meant a lot too, especially the 1st quarter.
Nets will be stupid if they pay Russell. Let Russell go to the Magic and just re-sign Dinwiddie.
That would not be a smart move. Age + Talent. You can keep both, Dinwiddie shouldn’t cost a lot, but if someone overpays oh well.
If he doesn’t cost a lot, but does just as well as Russell, then the Nets have more money to spend elsewhere if they choose Dinwiddie.
I just doubt they will be so bold.
embiid peaked, fultz is a bust, bench is trash and simmons can’t decide what side to shoot from
Must be a Bryan Coleangelo account. Embiid is averaging 29.6 Pts, 12.4 TRB, 3.5 AST, 2.3 BLK, 80 FT%, 31 3P%, 48 FG%. And you think he’s peaked?
Fultz… could be a bust, could be a role player. Only thing I do know, is he can handle the rock and is a true PG. They drafted him to be a combo guard, which he isn’t, not yet at least.
The bench is Shamet, Redick, Chandler, Muscala, and Amir. That line-up could probably beat the Cavs, Magic, Knicks, and Nets 2 out of 3 times.
sixers free agency was quiet for a reason
A lot of the Nets players are shooting well above their career averages, especially from 3 like 50%. That won’t hold up. Maybe they are trying to stunt his market this offseason as an RFA. Nets are going no where, they need to hoard any talent they have and throw max money at someone this offseason in hopes they’ll sign. Not having to max out Russell and just matching a lesser contract would be ideal for that FO.
Man, the Sixers need to play Joel and Ben with three shooters. Joel looked despondent last night, the lane is clogged, noone can get their rhythm. A complete mess. Brett Brown is not coaching the team well.
Questions the cost of Butler to the current roster? You mean the 6-5 Sixers that have some serious holes in their roster?
Granted, they need more shooting, and Jimmy is only league average from 3, but waiting for this specific roster to turns things around and become a serious threat in the east this year is a tad foolish.
Really young teams that make huge leaps like Philly last year traditionally come back down to earth the year after before settling in the season after that. Philly losing two key veteran shooters (Marco, Ilya) and the “sophomore jinx” will keep the Sixers as a 4-6 seed all season long without a move.
Dario looks burnt out playing year round every year