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Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 preseason

By Ed Easton Jr.

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 5: Jeremy Lin #7 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets high five each other during the game against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 5, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 5: Jeremy Lin #7 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets high five each other during the game against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 5, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images /

2. New face of the franchise

The Nets are still a young team with no true face of the franchise flooding their promotional items like many of the other NBA franchises. Jeremy Lin may seem like the incumbent choice, but after missing numerous games due to injuries, it seems to be about time Brooklyn had a fresh new star to build around.

The intriguing addition of guard D’Angelo Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for longtime franchise center Brook Lopez was the first domino to fall in the quest to fix the Nets. That move instantly raised the team’s profile around the league, bringing in a very young and talented player that can instantly be a face of the franchise for years to come.

Russell shared his excitement in joining the Nets with the media, focusing on his commitment to the franchise and teammates.

"“I want this to be home for me. Getting traded and moving, changing your whole environment and situation is not easy. So, I don’t want to do that again. The easier and the quicker I can get that relationship with guys, the easier that will be.”"

During the preseason Russell led the Nets in scoring and showed great poise playing alongside Lin in the special two point guard starting lineup. Russell recorded 19 points, four assists, two rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot across 20 minutes in his Nets debut, a 115-107 victory over the Knicks.

Russell will be relied upon heavily for his offensive firepower and aggressive playing style needed ignite a struggling team.

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