Accidents and a condensed schedule have compelled the Nets to take a much bigger have a look at a number of of their rookies this week.
Day’Ron Sharpe and Kessler Edwards haven’t let the chance go to waste.
The duo began for a 3rd straight recreation Saturday and, together with fellow rookie Cam Thomas, made it one other encouraging evening for the Nets’ 2021 draft class.
All three scored in double digits within the Nets’ 120-105 win over the Pelicans at Barclays Middle. Thomas led the best way with 20 factors off the bench, Sharpe recorded his first-career double-double with 12 factors and 10 rebounds (earlier than fouling out) and Edwards added 16 factors on 4-for-5 capturing from deep.
“They’ve been nice,” coach Steve Nash mentioned. “That’s why they’ve gotten a chance. We appreciated them within the preseason, however we felt like there was a course of to them getting, to incomes and to growing into a chance and it got here.”
Thomas, Sharpe and Edwards turned the primary trio of Nets rookies to complete in double figures in the identical recreation since Mirza Teletovic, Tyshawn Taylor and Toko Shengelia in 2013.
Whereas Thomas has performed within the majority of the Nets’ video games this season, Sharpe and Edwards have emerged extra lately.
Earlier than the previous week, Sharpe had performed a complete of 12 NBA video games for a complete of 78 minutes. Then the Nets performed 5 video games in seven days and Sharpe appeared in all of them — beginning the final three at middle with Nic Claxton and LaMarcus Aldridge injured — tallying 104 extra minutes whereas averaging 11.4 factors and seven.2 rebounds.
“He’s bought some pure items,” Nash mentioned. “He has a nostril for the ball across the basket and on the boards. He’s bodily, he likes to throw his weight round beneath the basket, which is a optimistic for us.”
Edwards, in the meantime, continued to flash his potential as a 3-and-D wing.
“Pure defensive instincts,” Nash mentioned. “He actually is aware of his function. He’s performed his function for a younger man within the alternative very, very properly.”
Claxton (left hamstring tightness) missed a 3rd straight recreation whereas Aldridge (proper foot soreness) additionally sat out a fifth straight recreation. Nash mentioned he anticipated each to journey with the Nets on their four-game highway journey that begins Monday in Cleveland.
“They’re each progressing properly,” Nash mentioned. “They’re not going to play tonight however they’re progressing daily and we really feel actually optimistic about them returning quickly.”
James Johnson additionally missed the sport with a non-COVID sickness.
The Nets entered halftime with a 69-41 lead, their largest halftime lead of the season and their second-largest halftime lead in Barclays Middle historical past.
Post a Comment