An in-depth and closer look at the three new Nets players:
Marshon Brooks – 25th Overall
Age: 22
Vitals: 6’5″, 195 lbs, 7’1″ wingspan, 38.5 vert
What they’re saying:
“He’s a basketball player that knows how to put the ball in the hole and do a lot of things on the court. He can score. He knows how to score. He’s a proven scorer and I think at times last year we struggled to score.”
– Billy King
“We weren’t very athletic at [shooting guard], We needed to get some guys who could run and jump and shoot and score and play defense and we think he can do that.”
– Avery Johnson
“I wonder if he’s going to be able to get away with some of the things that he did at Providence, the way he monopolizes the ball, his shot selection, the tunnel-vision he shows, the bad body language, the lack of enthusiasm for playing defense. But I felt the same way about Nick Young, I felt the same way about Jordan Crawford, these guys end up having NBA careers. Whether they’re the most efficient players, whether they end up helping their team win games, that’s up for debate.”
– Jonathan Givony, DraftExpress.com
Analysis: I think the one thing to gather here is if nothing else, Marshon will provide us with scoring. In what was (arguably) the toughest conference in college basketball, Brooks averaged 24.6 ppg.
His ability to make three-pointers will space the floor for Deron Williams and Brook Lopez to operate, plus he can create off the bounce and has the athleticism to finish above the rim.
The questions that arise of his defensive tenacity and/or spirit are ones that will remain and ones that he will have to answer. We certainly know the side of the ball that Avery Johnson emphasizes and he will demand defense from Brooks.
2011-2012 Role: Assuming that Sasha Vujacic won’t be re-signed, Brooks fits nicely into our backup two guard slot behind Anthony Morrow.
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Bojan Bogdanovic – 31st Overall
Age: 22
Vitals: 6’7″, 216 lbs
What they’re saying:
“A very capable threat from outside the arc as well, Bogdanovic shows a very interesting blend of size and shooting ability at 6-foot-7, being capable of putting the ball in the net both with his feet set or off the dribble. He sports an extremely quick release on his jumper, which when combined with his height, NBA plus range and unlimited confidence in his scoring ability, makes him an extremely dangerous weapon to have out on the court at any given moment.”
– Jonathan Givony
“He would’ve been a first-round pick had he come out next season. He’s a steal.”
– Chad Ford, ESPN.com.
Analysis: A solid wing player, Bogdanovic can shoot from beyond the arc as well as beat his man to create in isolation. He seems more comfortable as a spot-up shooter, but also shows his ability to create his shot off the dribble.
Driving to the rim, he seems to rely on craft more than athleticism for his finishes. Opting for pull-ups, floaters or reverses, rather than power dunks.
My questions now would be about his ability to guard, especially out on the perimeter. His size indicates strength won’t be a problem, but foot speed and lateral quickness may make it tough for him to guard away from the hoop.
2011-2012 Role: As of now, Bogdanovic will play for Fenerbahçe Ülker in 2011-12.
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Jordan Williams – 36th Overall
Age: 20
Vitals: 6’9″, 250 lbs, 7’0″ wingspan, 30.5 vert
What they’re saying:
“A terrific rebounder who will help us on the defensive end.”
– Avery Johnson
“Looking at our bigs, once we got MarShon, we felt that if we get Jordan, he will give us somebody who’s proven he knows how to rebound. I like guys that can rebound, especially in college, because you know he’s going to do it here.”
– Billy King
Analysis: It was no secret that we needed to add rebounding to our team, and the prevailing thought is Williams will do that. 11.8 rpg in the ACC is a good number to have and rebounding in college generally translates to the NBA.
His conditioning and just overall athleticism and quickness are what will be his downfall if they go unaddressed. Williams has already lost some weight, but moving forward these are areas of concern.
2011-2012 Role: Assuming we re-sign Kris Humphries, Williams would probably fourth on our overall front-court depth chart behind Brook, Hump and Johan Petro.
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