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Brooklyn Nets: Jarrett Allen shows offensive growth at NBA Summer League

By Ed Easton Jr.

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets high fives teammates during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets high fives teammates during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As the Brooklyn Nets look to arrange pieces for their future, all eyes are on center Jarrett Allen, who begins his journey to becoming a complete player.

The Brooklyn Nets have flirted with potential options at center throughout the entirety of the 2017-18 regular season. Players such as Timofey Mozgov and Tyler Zeller had their turn at the position last season and have since been dealt to other teams. This creates an opportunity for last year’s first round draft pick, Jarrett Allen, to get plenty of playing time.

The extra time on the court for a struggling team has served as good fortune in disguise for the Nets and Allen. The 20-year-old center is currently a leader on the Nets’ Summer League roster in Las Vegas, already showing flashes of greatness after only two games.

Allen scored 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting while grabbing 11 rebounds in the Nets’ 109-102 loss to the Houston Rockets Wednesday night. The double-double was in just 23 minutes of playing time and included a rare 3-point field goal.

Allen’s performance in the two games is quickly showing his potential to be a dual threat on the court. Already viewed as a good defensive big man protecting the rim last season, Allen was viewed by many critics as limited on the offensive side of the ball, but he’s shown a willingness to score while in Vegas.

The second-year center spoke on his desire to grow as a leader with reporters recently heading into the summer games.

"“I’m trying to be able to be like a leader and try to teach the first-year people how to be able to be a pro. I’m trying to be able to come out of my comfort zone, and this is the perfect place to practice to be a leader. I’m just trying to get a little more leadership and come out my shell a little bit more.“You hear it all the time. You can’t become better if you stay the same, so it’s just one of those tiny things I’m just trying to improve on.”"

Allen showed Nets fans his resiliency during the second half of the season dealing with the possibility of losing his spot to trade deadline acquisition Jahlil Okafor. Allen was able to remain focused and consistent, remaining a fixture in the lineup to play 72 games during his rookie campaign.

His emergence has solidified his spot on the team, especially after the Nets trade that briefly brought Dwight Howard over from the Charlotte Hornets has since ended with a buyout.

Nets assistant coach and current Summer League head coach Jacque Vaughn praised Allen’s work ethic and professionalism during an interview with reporters in Vegas.

"“It’s been great to see whether it’s being the first guy in the trainer’s room, whether it’s being the last guy out getting treatment, the professionalism that came with having a year under his belt, whether it’s pulling a guy aside and saying, ‘This is the correct spacing offensively.’ We’ve seen all of that these few days.”"

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Allen will continue to play an important role in the Nets’ development over the rest of the offseason leading into training camp. The potential is definitely obvious, but it will take bigger strides to truly be a force among the many great big men in the league.

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