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DeMarre Carroll: The good, the bad and the ugly

By Christopher Lavinio

TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: DeMarre Carroll
TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: DeMarre Carroll /
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Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images /

The good

DeMarre Carroll fits the mold as a tough, gritty veteran player that head coach Kenny Atkinson coveted. His 6’8″, 212-pound frame makes his an idea forward in today’s NBA.

Playing alongside two dynamic playmakers in Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell will allow Carroll to space the floor, use his body down low when needed, and be a forceful and impactful defensive presence on the wings.

"“He’s going to be so instrumental because we desperately need somebody [like him],’’ Jeremy Lin said when talking to New York Post Nets writer Brian Lewis in Las Vegas, as the Nets faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks in Summer League action. “He can definitely shoot the three and he can definitely play defense, which we really, really need help with. And he can do more than that. But just veteran leadership, toughness, grit. I’m hoping he comes in and is a vocal leader. Those are some things that we need.”"

Carroll’s best season as a pro came when Kenny Atkinson was the lead assistant in Atlanta under head coach Mike Budenholzer, where he averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in just under 32 minutes per game. Carroll was also impressive from the field, where he shot 48.7 percent overall, and 39.5 percent from deep.

Carroll was instrumental during the Hawks’ breakout season in 2014-15, where the team went an Eastern Conference best 60-22.

Carroll, during his stint in Atlanta, proved to be a scrappy force and key cog in Atlanta’s successful spaced offense. When asked about Carroll’s presence in a locker room full of young guys, Lin continued to tell Brian Lewis he’d be a helping hand.

"“Oh, he’ll definitely help me,’’ Lin said. “We have to collectively keep each other accountable and push each other. That’s just what we’re trying to get towards, and I’m sure he’ll help, with the things I’ve heard about him. I don’t know him personally, but I’ve heard and talked to someone on the Raptors [on Saturday]. He was talking about his personality, how he is, and he was raving about him.”"

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