How key was prying Andre Drummond and Seth Curry out of Philadelphia within the James Harden-Ben Simmons swap? The pair haven’t simply began because the commerce went down, however they’ve posted one of the best plus-minus stats on the entire Nets roster.
Drummond is a plus-34 with Curry proper behind at plus-33 in 5 begins coming into Monday’s tilt versus Toronto, each having crammed obtrusive wants.
The ground-spacing Curry is averaging 19.2 factors on 47.4 p.c taking pictures from deep, whereas Drummond is posting a double-double (11.2 factors, 11.0 boards) in simply 22 minutes. Each have appeared to slot in seamlessly.
“Yeah, I hope my smile can reply that query,” Kyrie Irving mentioned. “Whenever you play with guys which can be coming off the ball, being very selfless and placing their physique on the road after which simply considering the sport, it simply makes my job so much simpler to go on the market and simply lead the offense as finest I can as the purpose guard.
“However even simply considering like that, Bruce [Brown] performed level guard, Seth performed level guard, and we’re simply all interchangeable down the stretch. And we simply confirmed our depth and confirmed our resilience.”
Brown has appeared like a special man because the commerce deadline. The Nets waived DeAndre’ Bembry to finish the Simmons deal, after which Jevon Carter to signal Goran Dragic. Whether or not it’s on-court alternative or job stability, Brown has been thriving. He’s averaging 13.2 factors and 5.8 rebounds on .518 taking pictures total and .500 from deep in his final six video games.
As anticipated Kevin Durant (left MCL sprain) has been dominated out vs. Toronto. Joe Harris (left ankle surgical procedure), Simmons (return to competitors reconditioning) and Irving (ineligible) are out Monday as effectively.
The Nets did surrender 29 factors to Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on Saturday, however they held him to eight of 20 taking pictures with 4 turnovers. It took a crew effort to gradual him down, however James Johnson was the most important a part of that effort. And if the groups meet within the postseason, it’s price noting that Johnson did pretty much as good a job as any in coping with the Greek Freak this common season.
In three conferences, Johnson was Brooklyn’s best defender towards Antetokounmpo. He’s spent 10:03 guarding the star spanning 56 partial possessions, holding him to 17 factors on .400 taking pictures.
For perspective, Antetokounmpo has shot .667 towards LaMarcus Aldridge, .583 vs. Nic Claxton and .571 matched up with Blake Griffin.
Antetokounmpo is .500 vs. Durant, and .455 towards Drummond (with one among their two matchups coming when the Drummond was nonetheless with Philadelphia).
