The Nets unveiled most of their $189 million roster for the 2013-14 season in Tuesday night’s 111-106 win over the Wizards in the nation’s capital in the preseason opener, showing glimpses of what the team is capable of moving forward.
Here are three things I took out of the game:
1. Brook Lopez is huge.
When the Nets reconvened last week to begin preseason preparations, the first thing that jumped out was just how big Brook Lopez looked. The 7-footer spent a lot of time in the weight room this summer as he recovered from the latest procedure on his right foot and came into camp weighing 290 pounds – 15 more than he played at last season.
Lopez said he probably will play at 285 or 280 this season, but his strength was evident during Tuesday’s opener. Going up against another good center in Nene, Lopez had absolutely no problem moving Nene around inside, and consistently got into great position for easy buckets and good post moves inside.
Because of the variety of weapons the Nets have offensively and the extra strength he’s added to his already massive frame, Lopez could be in line for a huge season – assuming he can stay on the court and doesn’t have any setbacks with his previously troublesome right foot.
2. Andrei Kirilenko: Sixth Man Award candidate?
There’s a reason why the Nets managing to land Kirilenko for a year (plus a player option) of the “mini” mid-level exception this summer, it was nearly universally hailed as the best value signing of the offseason. Though he will turn 33 this season, Kirilenko is still among the league’s most versatile players, as well as an excellent defender, and showed off his skills in Washington.
Kirilenko finished with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and a blocked shot in just under 24 minutes, and immediately proved why the Nets were so thrilled to land him. Assuming Kirilenko plays at least 24 minutes a night, he can contend for Sixth Man Award honors.
3. Is the rotation set?
There’s little doubt whom the Nets are going to have on the floor – assuming health – when they open the season in Cleveland on Oct. 30: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Lopez.
But we may have seen the team’s 10-deep rotation in the preseason opener. Shaun Livingston was terrific filling in for Williams (out with a sprained right ankle) as the starting point guard. While Tyshawn Taylor had a nice game, as well, but it seems clear Livingston will be the No. 2 point guard.
Kirilenko and Andray Blatche are locks to be in the rotation, and given that Reggie Evans was a clear member of the second unit Tuesday and Mirza Teletovic – who finished with 15 points and six rebounds – didn’t check in for the first time until late in the third quarter, it looks as if Evans is the front-runner to get the backup power-forward minutes.
The one potential remaining minutes question is at backup shooting guard, where Alan Anderson filled in quite admirably for Jason Terry (recovering from offseason left knee surgery) against Washington. Anderson finished with 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting in 24 minutes, and could push Terry for minutes. However, it’s more likely Terry retains his spot and Anderson fills in whenever coach Jason Kidd chooses to give any of his veterans on the wings – Johnson, Terry, Pierce and Kirilenko – a night off. Anderson would be a clear rotation player for most teams in the league and is a more than admirable fill-in.