NBA recap: Injuries out West, DSJ available and Nets’ arrival

Brooklyn’s team-building paying off

The Brooklyn Nets have been hamstrung for years in terms of draft capital. This is their first season of owning their first round draft pick since 2013. They’ve been players in restricted free agency by providing an outlet for players to get large offers, only to re-sign with their original teams.

With limited mobility and top lottery picks despite finishing at the bottom of the standings, Brooklyn counted on head coach Kenny Atkinson building a culture of team basketball and general manager Sean Marks finding talent that fit Atkinson’s viewpoint. The Nets are in position to make their first postseason since 2014-15, and are a pesky group of misfits that plays fun basketball.

The Nets are 14-5 over their last 19 games, which includes wins over the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. They’re moving the ball well, have 12 players averaging at least 19.8 minutes per game and are extremely flexible with their lineups.

D’Angelo Russell is developing into the player the Lakers expected when they drafted him No. 2 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. Russell turns 24 in February, and has a perfect game to run a modern offense. He’s averaging 19.7 points per game, shooting 37.2 percent on 6.7 3-point attempts a night and has a 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio in this 19-game stretch. Finally playing in an offense catered to his skill-set, Russell is thriving in a change of scenery.

But the Nets are a team in the truest sense of the word. On top of 12 players averaging at least 20 minutes per game, they have nine players averaging double-digit points per game in this stretch. This team has talent that fits well, despite not having a star in the mix.

Joe Harris was a bargain for his production. Jarrett Allen has no problem jumping with anyone willing to attack him at the rim. Spencer Dinwiddie is a top-four bench scorer in the NBA. Rodions Kurucs is a key contributor moving forward and was picked 40th in the 2018 NBA Draft. Ed Davis and DeMarre Carroll have playoff experience and fill roles.

This doesn’t mention Allen Crabbe, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Jared Dudley, who are all helping this team make the playoffs a reality. Even Caris LeVert was taking a leap until his scary injury ended his season.

The Nets are another example of the proper way to build a team. Play hard and the right way, take fliers on top-five picks, identify talent that fits your scheme and trust your coach. Oh, and they have cap space in a major market with an attractive product building.