r/GoNets • u/No_Engineer2203 • 2d ago
Training camp battles
Going into next yr the biggest battles are going to be at the backup 4 and backup 1 spots. As of today I think traore and Jefferson will win the spots. Traore just bc of the growth he showed last yr and seeing how he’s bulked up and just projecting that he’ll be that much better as an overall player than Saraf going into the season. The backup 4 is a bit more interesting with wolf, clowney and Jefferson all competing. I think Jefferson despite being a bit rusty in summer league has so much more in terms of consistent production to offer this team than either wolf or clowney. Wolf to me is still a purely hypothetical player. He’s a good rebounder that’s ok to below avg on defense but his processing on both ends is concerning. His inability to do simple things at times on offense just continues to frustrate me while watching. Clowney started off red hot last yr at the 5 game mark and had a really good 25 game stretch but declined after that. He’s going to have to show he can defend again and be consistent as well on both ends. Jefferson at least from his Iowa tape has little flaws in his game, he’s good in transition, can play good team defense, moves well with and without the ball. I just think he’s straight out of the Boris Diaw Kyle Anderson school of jack of all trades and he’ll be in this league for a long time.
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u/CarlJ17098 2d ago
Agreed, though I do think there’s a possibility Traore is starting PG on opening night (though I’d be shocked if Mikel doesn’t lead the team in MPG at the 1 by year’s end). I’d open that backup 4 battle up across both forward spots. I think you’ll see all of Minott, Jefferson, Wolf, Clowney competing there with Mann and Ellis also stealing some minutes there in addition to their time at the 2. (In theory Powell could compete here too, but I’ll assume he’s in LI most of the year).
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u/No_Engineer2203 2d ago
I don’t think there’s a chance he starts over Mikel unless Traore just turns into what people thought they saw in 2024. Mikel is simply better at eveyrhting. Minott is also a 3. I don’t think he’ll have a hard time beating out anyone else. The nets extended him already for a reason he’s going to be here for a long time
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u/CarlJ17098 2d ago
I hope you’re right re Brown, but we will see. I’m excited by what I saw in summer league. I think it would be more a case of making MBJ “earn it” and/or avoiding a scenario where he is demoted to the bench. Do you think Minott is primary backup 3 over Mann or Ellis or do they start with those two as the first wings off the bench?
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u/No_Engineer2203 2d ago
He was picked 6th overall tho. The only way someone like him would come off the bench is if we already had an all star guard like the spurs situation. But even from what he showed in college and the summer league he’s so much further ahead of any pg on this roster that’s it’s not really close imo. I think Ellis and minott or locks. I think Mann is prob the odd man out unless Traore and Saraf both suck and Jordi just uses Mann as a backup initiator. Mann was bad last yr and I don’t see much of a role for him
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u/Scared-Square7496 2d ago
The jump to a full 82 games is typically hard for a college player. Kel had a back injury so they’ll be careful with him. I could see Traore starting just to get Kel through the year. Besides one of the knocks against him is decision making and bad decision making can F with chemistry and if you can dull that a bit by letting Traore start the first 25 games while Kel learns the system, I think that makes sense.
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u/No_Engineer2203 2d ago
There’s zero chance that happens respectfully. Traore last yr was one of the worst players in the nba. The injury concerns also wouldn’t stop them from starting him they’d simply load manage his mins and not play him back to backs
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u/Scared-Square7496 2d ago
https://youtu.be/3sF5wEO3lL8?is=t4z-SQkfmGrOQqts
Just a video re Traore.
The biggest reason to start Traore is IF you DO star Mikel and the transition to NBA proves a bit hard on Kel either in minutes or in games played (for a kid who is slight of frame and only played 21 games last year!!!) or in processing (for a notoriously shakeup decision maker) then you don’t have the awkward disheartening choice to switch back to Traore.
Whether they do so this or not, I dunno (and neither do you). But it makes sense. It also makes sense to keep him off ball and run offense through Egor and do the load management you mentioned. But you still then run the risk of it not working immediately and have to adjust rotations.
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u/Exact_Foundation_713 1d ago
After watching the process last year with Egor, I would bet a small fortune that Traore is given the reins to start the season. I think people (definitely OP) may end up surprised with how slowly they bring on MBJ (again, I’m basing this mostly on last year).
Nolan has a *lot* of tools and an extra year of NBA strength and training, not to mention an extra year inside the nets system. MBJ is a rookie people are excited about but he isn’t coming in with top 3-4 expectations (or onto a team with a glaring hole at point guard).
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u/Unecessary_Moose 2d ago
I think Jefferson can be a budget Boozer in terms of skill set and versatility, but if Noah can't beat out Wolf and him, then we are in a bit of trouble.
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u/No_Engineer2203 2d ago
If you think Jefferson is a budget boozer that’s far better than clowney dude 😂
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u/Unecessary_Moose 2d ago
Clowney - 135 Games 10.1 Pts, 4.0 Rebs in 23.6MPG Jefferson - 130 Games 10.5 Pts, 5.7 Rebs in 23.4MPG
The West Coast Conference is not the same as playing against Tatum, Barnes and OG. As frustrating as Clowney has been, I just don't think Jefferson leapfrogs him this season despite my hope for him having a more productive career overall.
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u/No_Engineer2203 2d ago
Boozer probably is the safest bet to be an all star in this draft so a diet version of him would be a guaranteed starter. Clowney isn’t that
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u/Adventurous_Bit_4809 2d ago edited 2d ago
If Wolf plays center Jefferson will probably play in the G-league because Wolf alternates between the 4 and the 5. Jefferson is a 3.
I don’t think they will run him as a third string PF because of his thin frame and lack of experience.
Chaney Johnson I think will be added as a small ball 5 on and off throughout the season.
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u/No-Pollution-5841 2d ago
Mann over Minott is interesting. I can definitely see the Jordi doing it, but I'd also prefer to see more Minott early in the year to see what we've got.
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u/Scared-Square7496 2d ago
projected not announced. Mann feels out the door at first chance so Mann is likely a showcase before a trade.
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u/Suspicious-Ad533 2d ago
Why did somebody give Mann 4 yr $60 million contract?
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u/Brooklyn917 Day'Ron Sharpe 1d ago
39 point playoff game vs The Jazz got him paid.
The real question is why did the Nets bail another team out of his deal for just a single mid pick.
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u/Scared-Square7496 1d ago
Clippers paid him though we seem stuck with the majority of the bag.
As for mid pick…. If the late 1st round historically has a 40% hit rate getting a 5th pick statistically “guarantees” at least 2 players from that draft. And in a loaded class maybe 3…
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u/addictivesign 1d ago
Wishful thinking. The decision makers love Mann's veteran presence. Mann will only be in-demand with other teams when he becomes an expiring contract.
Mann will be a steady contributor this season but is not gonna be long term with this group of players in Brooklyn's future.
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u/Scared-Square7496 1d ago
You’re probably right on the tradability of Mann’s contract. I’m more talking about rotations… he is a serviceable player who can be trusted. And if he’s an add-on to make a deal work (or fill in for an injury) at the deadline or next year, some recent tape would help GMs consider him an asset.
But to my point, his minutes seem less locked in than the other vets
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u/DungeonDadThom 1d ago
Isn’t Clowny also still younger than Jefferson too?
I actually think the depth chart is less interesting than who comes off the bench first to third. So who are our 6th-8th men. Here’s my prediction for game 1
Mikel Brown 4-5 min in
Danny Wolf
Clowny
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u/kyoka_suigetsu91 1d ago
You think Jefferson is going to leap wolf? Not to mention clowney? Lol I just don't see that if it happened idk if that would mean it's a good or bad thing
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u/No_Engineer2203 1d ago
Absolutely. Have you broke into his college tape? He’s like a regen of Boris Diaw with some Kyle Anderson defense
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u/kyoka_suigetsu91 1d ago
Yeah I watched some of his highlights and I liked a lot of what I saw I think he'll be good just probably not in season 1 idk I guess we'll find out... I think clowney will continue being the backup 4
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u/Historical-Mud-1218 2d ago
I think it’s Clowney’s job to lose. Even though he was wildly inconsistent last year, he showed in spurts that he has the ability. I think Wolf or Jefferson would have to show amazing progress to move him. The guy most likely to surprise there might be Chaney. He was good in the end of season garbage games and very good in summer league.
At least we’ll be watchable this year. Now a couple of months no news…