Day’Ron Sharpe’s first run as the Nets’ starting center gave Brooklyn something to like right away.
In Tuesday night’s preseason opener, the Nets rolled past the Charlotte Hornets 124-90 on the road, and Sharpe was part of the early evidence that this group may be coming together quickly. Brooklyn has spent much of the offseason in the spotlight because of its new additions, but the center spot has been one of the more talked-about changes as well.
After the Nets moved Nic Claxton in the Julius Randle deal on draft night, Sharpe’s path to the starting job became clear. He has long been a dependable bench piece under Jordi Fernandez, and now he gets the chance to prove he can handle a bigger load from the opening tip.
He made a strong first impression in Charlotte. Sharpe put up eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, and Brooklyn was plus-19 during his just under 18 minutes on the floor. That kind of production won’t answer every question, but it certainly fits the profile of what the Nets want to see as they sort through this new frontcourt.
There’s also the preseason reality check to keep in mind. Charlotte was missing many of its key pieces, so Brooklyn isn’t going to draw sweeping conclusions from one lopsided exhibition. Even so, the Nets’ first game action of the season was a clean, encouraging start, and Sharpe’s performance was a big part of that.
Brooklyn will probably need more from him as the season moves along, especially once the minutes climb and the matchups get tougher. But if Sharpe can keep producing like this, the Nets won’t have much to complain about. He’s already shown he can be a solid backup center behind Claxton in previous years; now the bigger stage gives him a chance to show more of what he can do.
That’s what makes the rest of the preseason worth watching for Brooklyn. Sharpe’s minutes should tell a lot as he settles into his new role, and he’ll be doing it alongside Randle and Michael Porter Jr. in the starting frontcourt. For one night, at least, the early returns were exactly what the Nets had to be hoping for.
In Other News...
Nets Camp Battle Just Got More Serious With Two Young Pieces Limited
Josh Minott has spent the summer and early part of camp trying to show he belongs in a crowded Brooklyn rotation picture, and coach Jordi Fernandez has noticed. Fernandez has already praised Minotts work in the teams competitive camp environment, while the forward himself has talked about how important it is to keep competing at this stage of his career. For a roster trying to sort out roles and identify who can handle the demands of the season, that sort of internal push matters.
The intrigue around the young group only grows with the health picture around it. Center Danny Wolf will wear ankle braces this season after dealing with a previous sprain, while lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr. is still working back from an ankle injury even as he sounded upbeat about the team at the annual Fan Fest. Brooklyn has made a point of leaning into development, but the status of those two young pieces adds another layer to a camp battle that already has the feel of something more than just an audition. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Rookie Point Guard Battle Suddenly Looks A Lot More Real
The Nets got a useful look at their rookie guards in a preseason win over the Hornets, and both Nolan Traor and Ben Saraf made the kind of case that can change a camp conversation fast. With Brooklyn already sorting through its guard rotation, the backup point guard battle suddenly feels less like a long-term evaluation and more like something the staff may have to start weighing in real time.
Sarafs improved three-point shooting stood out, while Traor showed more of the rim pressure that makes him such an intriguing fit in the open floor. The competition is far from settled, though, and with three preseason games still to come, the Nets have a little more time to see whether one rookie can separate himself or whether this remains one of camps more closely watched decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Nets New-Look Rotation Just Gave Fans A Reason To Buy In
The early signs of Brooklyns new-look rotation were encouraging in a preseason romp over Charlotte, a 124-90 win that offered a little of everything the Nets have been hoping to see. They hit 20 three-pointers, came out firing from deep and never let the Hornets settle in, using a steady second-half push to turn a comfortable lead into a lopsided finish.
Michael Porter Jr. led the way with 16 points, while Julius Randle added 13 as Brooklyns offensive flow looked sharper than it has at other points in the exhibition slate. It is still preseason, of course, but the combination of perimeter shooting and control for long stretches gave the Nets something tangible to point to as they continue sorting out how this rotation fits together. [Read more 🡒]