Josh Minott has put himself in the middle of one of those good problems coaches love. Jordi Fernandez said the forward’s work over the summer and in training camp has stood out, and that the competition for minutes is exactly what he wants.
“Josh, he’s put a lot of work and effort through the summer and now in training camp, and I expect good things to happen,” Fernandez said. “The reality is usually you play with nine to 11 players, and the good thing is these guys are putting me in a tough spot because they’re all doing a great job. So that’s what I want as a coach, is to make tough decisions.”
Brooklyn brought in Minott from Boston before last year’s trade deadline for cash considerations, and he made a quick impact in his short stint with the team. In 16 games with the Nets, he averaged 10.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game. The 6-foot-8 forward spent his first three seasons with Minnesota.
Minott said the biggest lesson from his young career is staying ready and staying hungry.
“I’d say one thing I’ve learned in my four years, going on five, you’re never settled in,” Minott said. “I would never get complacent.
You can never be complacent. I feel like that’s advice to everybody in any profession.
… Always stay competitive. I mean, it’s a competitive job.
Everybody knows that. So I’d say it’s more just about being a guy that help us accomplish our goal.”
There’s also a health note in the frontcourt: center Danny Wolf said he’ll wear braces on both ankles this season. Wolf was shut down on March 22 during his rookie season because of an ankle sprain, and he’s not worried about the look of the gear.
“I don’t really care how they look as long as they’re going to do their job,” Wolf told Lewis. “If you’re going to step on people’s feet, it’s inevitable, but…there’s a lot of things you can do in your lower body to help mitigate the length or the severity of an ankle sprain. But a lot of guys wear ankle braces on our team, in the league, and I think it’s going to be more and more normal.”
Mikel Brown Jr. was out of the Nets’ preseason game on Tuesday, but the lottery pick is still moving in the right direction after an ankle sprain. Lewis tweeted that Brown has been cleared for some contact, and Brown said he’s close to being back to full speed.
“I’m getting back on the court and I’m moving way better,” he said. “I’m starting to get to full speed now, starting to get a little contact in as of right now in my workouts … I (trust) my performance staff to put me in the best situation.”
Brown also used the Nets’ annual Fan Fest on Sunday to set the tone for the season and lean into the expectations around the team.
“My message is just, 1) show out. Come to the game, pack it out, because we need all the help that we can get, all the love that we can get for one,” Brown said.
“And then 2) I’m gonna keep saying it, I feel like we’re gonna shock the world. I really do feel like we’re going to shock the world with this team and this group of guys that we got.”
In Other News...
Nets Rookie Debut Suddenly Matters In A Rotation Battle
Cam Brown is moving closer to his first preseason appearance after rolling an ankle, and coach Fernandez said the Nets expect the rookie to play before camp ends. Brown has already advanced to contact drills, and he has been spending time on film work as he prepares for a debut that carries a little extra weight in Brooklyn, where he arrives as the highest draft pick of the teams Brooklyn era.
The timing matters because this roster has real competition for rotation spots, with a projected starting group in place and several players jockeying for second-unit minutes. Browns return will give Brooklyn another chance to evaluate where he fits in that mix, and whether his path to playing time can open quickly once the preseason games start to sharpen the picture. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Porter Jr. Already Gave Nets Fans A Wild Off-Court Story
Michael Porter Jr. has already given Nets fans something to chew on before he has played a meaningful minute in Brooklyn, and it had nothing to do with shot-making or lineup fit. In a recent recounting, Porter said he nearly got arrested in Mexico two years ago after cannabis was found in his backpack on a flight to Cabo San Lucas, a situation that was only defused after a phone call from someone connected to his team or agent.
For a Nets club trying to move past a rough season, Porter is also projecting plenty of optimism about what comes next. He said he and Julius Randle could help lead Brooklyn to more than 50 wins this year, a bold forecast for a team that needs more than confidence to change its direction. The off-court anecdote may grab the attention first, but the bigger question for Nets fans is whether Porter can back up the belief once the games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Keon Ellis Has A Real Chance To Grab Nets Fans' Attention Fast
Keon Ellis is set to get an early look in Brooklyn, and it comes with a little extra runway because of Mikel Brown Jr.s left ankle sprain. Brown has been cleared for contact practice and is expected to get on the floor during the preseason, but in the meantime Ellis should be in the starting group when the Nets open against the Charlotte Hornets, giving him a quick chance to make an impression in front of a new fan base.
For a team still sorting through its backcourt mix, Ellis brings a clear calling card: defense. He is expected to share those duties alongside Egor Dmin and Julius Randle, which should give Brooklyn a better feel for how the pieces fit together once the games start counting in earnest. For Ellis, the preseason opener is less about easing in and more about showing he can stick in the rotation right away. [Read more 🡒]