Brooklyn Nets: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson thriving during winning streak

The Brooklyn Nets are on an impressive five-game winning streak led by great contributions throughout the roster, including forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Times are good right now for the surging Brooklyn Nets after picking up their fifth straight win on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks. After suffering the late-game collapse to Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 5, Brooklyn hasn’t lost a game since, defeating division rivals in the Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers along the way.

One of the biggest reasons for the Nets’ turnaround has been forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson‘s improved play during the streak. The former Arizona Wildcats star had 18 points, four rebounds and three assists during Sunday’s 144-127 victory over the Hawks. In the process, he reached double-digit scoring for the fourth time in his last five games.

During the win streak, RHJ is posting 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. He’s even made four of his six 3-point attempts.

Hollis-Jefferson has also shown consistency on the defensive end too, recording at least one steal in five straight games while matching up with some of the league’s best at his position.

One game that still sticks out for the 23-year-old is his matchup with Sixers star Jimmy Butler from a few weeks back, which ended with Butler sinking a game-winning 3-pointer. Hollis-Jefferson accepted the tough assignment and still remembers that play vividly, as he told NBA.com:

"“I can’t lie, man, I really felt and knew that he was going to that shot. We watched it. He hit that same shot. I can’t remember which team he was playing against. He hit that same shot. And I’m like, I can tell the way he’s sizing me up right now, he wants to side step. He still was able to get it off. I contested it. It went in. The basketball gods were on his side.“I told Kenny [Atkinson], I said, ‘Hey man, you want me to stop him? Put me on him.’ That’s the mindset. You want me to make it tough for him, put me on him. That’s how I feel no matter who it is, no matter who I’m going against, and that’s how it has to be for everybody.”"

The confidence to take on a team’s best player is a tall task that head coach Kenny Atkinson has continued to entrust in Hollis-Jefferson. His growth offensively has been seen as a pleasant surprise that continues to fill the void left by injured guard Caris LeVert as the new every night starter.

In anticipation for the holidays, Hollis-Jefferson represented the Nets organization recently by visiting Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn, New York. He brought along with him some new sneakers and gear for the girls’ varsity basketball team players while answering their questions.

The former 2015 NBA Draft pick spoke with Hoops Habit at the event about his desire to encourage to local youth.

"“I feel like you have to do this, being in our position you have to come back and talk to these younger women, younger men and let them know there’s an opportunity, there’s hope out there keep fighting and keep striving.”"

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will need to continue the confident play this well, as he will most likely be matched up with LeBron James as the Los Angeles Lakers come to town on Tuesday. A Nets victory will really turn heads around the league and finally convince many non-believers that Brooklyn is serious about a playoff run this season.