Brooklyn Nets prepare for life without D’Angelo Russell
The Brooklyn Nets are facing plenty of games without their leading scorer D’Angelo Russell, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
The Brooklyn Nets have been faced with numerous health challenges so far this season, especially with their guards. The season-ending injury to veteran guard Jeremy Lin on opening night was the first major domino to fall. D’Angelo Russell can also be added to the unfortunate list of the fallen after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday.
In only 12 games played this season, Russell was posting career high numbers that included 20.9 points and 5.7 assists per game. The 21-year-old was stepping up as the team’s new go-to guy after being dealt to the Nets during the offseason from the Los Angels Lakers. His problems with the left knee could not be ignored any longer, leading the team to eventually shut him down and prepare for an extended time without him in the lineup.
Nets general manager Sean Marks spoke with the media Friday to give an update on Russell’s injury and possible return to the court later on in the season.
"“It’s an arthroscopic surgery, so the plan would be for him to return this season. It’s definitely frustrating for D’Angelo. He’s going into this as another challenge. He knows he’ll bounce back from this and we have no doubts in our mind that he’ll be better and stronger than he was before. This was a direct correlation to the incident that happened in Utah. I think with any 21-year-old that’s played a lot of basketball you’re going to have a little bit of wear and tear. The good thing is he’s young enough and he’s certainly going to bounce back from something like this. We’re not too concerned in that regard.”"
The Russell injury opens up more opportunity for reserve point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who will be the new starter moving forward. Dinwiddie was the hero a few weeks ago at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers as he sank the go-ahead 3-point basket with 43 seconds left in regulation. His big performance in relief of Russell helped clinch a hard-fought 112-107 upset win in front of the Barclays Center crowd.
In the Nets’ 118-107 home victory over the Utah Jazz, Dinwiddie dazzled again with a career-high 25 points. After the game he spoke with reporters, showing support for the injured Russell and analyzing his ability to step in and lead the team for the foreseeable future.
"“I didn’t do anything different because of his surgery, I’d like to think that we won for him though, because our heart goes out to him as our teammate and our brother. We feel for him in this time. A lot of us have had injuries and surgeries.“I think I’ve just been fortunate enough to make the right reads, the right guesses. I feel like when you’re out there it’s a series of educated guesses and so far I’ve been able to make some good ones. But the tide can turn at any time, so I’m just blessed and extremely fortunate with the opportunity.”"
The Russell and Lin injuries are shocking blows to the game plan of head coach Kenny Atkinson, who looked to feature the duo in his backcourt together all season. The Nets will need more than Dinwiddie’s great performances in order to remain competitive in the Atlantic Division.
Recent offseason acquisition Allen Crabbe will continue to be looked at as more of a scoring option to make up for Russell’s usual points production per game.
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The Nets should take some more looks at the G League and consider picking up a player like Trey Burke, who is currently playing for the New York Knicks‘ Westchester affiliate. A player that can break down the defense and make quick decision passes is a nice temporary fill in for the style lost without Russell.