Mikel Brown Jr. is starting to find his footing in Brooklyn.
The former Louisville standout has only been in the NBA for seven games, but the early-season growing pains are giving way to a much sharper stretch for the Nets rookie. Brown, the No. 6 overall pick, had shown flashes before, but his production is now beginning to match the talent that made him a five-star freshman out of Orlando.
November has been the turning point. Brown opened the month with a rough shooting stretch, hitting just 27% from the field while averaging 10.3 points per game. Since then, the numbers have climbed fast, and the confidence has followed.
Against the Atlanta Hawks, Brown backed up a career-best outing with another strong night, scoring 18 points for the second straight game. He finished 5-of-13 from the floor and knocked down three more 3-pointers, continuing the recent surge that has made him look far more settled.
That followed an 18-point performance in a win over the Hornets, when he shot 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc for his best shooting night in the NBA so far. He also added 13 points against the Knicks.
Over his three games in November, Brown is averaging 16.3 points and 3.3 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range. For the season, he’s up to 12.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, with shooting splits of 34.6% overall and 31.1% from deep.
What stands out most is how Brown is scoring. He’s a crafty guard who can create offense in a bunch of different ways - off the catch, with a stepback 3, or by getting into the lane and finishing through contact. When he stays patient and lets the game come to him, the big scoring nights tend to follow.
Brooklyn will be back in action tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans at 8 p.m. local time, with the Nets looking for their third win of the season.
In Other News...
Louisville Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About Tyran Stokes Kentucky Comments
Tyran Stokes gave Louisville fans something to chew on after a game against Kentucky, and not just because of what he did on the court. The Louisville native and former five-star recruit said the rivalry felt personal because of where he is from, noting that the matchup carried the kind of edge he would expect if he were wearing a Louisville uniform.
Stokes ultimately chose Kansas, but his comments made clear that the Louisville connection still runs deep. After finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, he sounded like a player who understood exactly what the Kentucky game means in that part of the state, which is sure to spark plenty of reaction from Cardinals fans who have followed his path closely. [Read more 🡒]
Louisvilles Offense Looks Ready But Two Problems Still Loom
Louisvilles offense keeps giving the Cardinals a reason to believe the season can still move in the right direction. In the latest game, the unit piled up more than 450 yards and kept stringing together scoring drives, a sign that the scheme and the personnel are starting to click in a way that should travel well as the schedule tightens up. Individual contributors have done their part, and the overall arc of the season suggests real progress on that side of the ball.
The concern is that the rest of the operation still has too many loose ends. The defense gave up far too much yardage, and the special teams mistakes continue to linger as a recurring source of frustration. For a team trying to turn offensive momentum into something more sustainable, those two issues remain the biggest obstacles between looking dangerous and actually being complete. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville Can Exploit One Clear Weakness In UNCs Improved Offense
Bill Belichicks second season at North Carolina has brought a clear effort to modernize the offense, and bringing in Bobby Petrino as coordinator has helped move the unit forward. The Tar Heels still have more pop than they did a year ago, though they remain below average in some key areas, which makes this matchup more interesting for Louisville than the typical improved offense label might suggest. Billy Edwards has been uneven, even if his play has trended better lately, and UNC has leaned on a mix of Demon June, Benjamin Hall and Jaylin Mcgill in the backfield while Jordan Shipp and tight end Jelani Thurman have provided reliable targets.
For Louisville, the opening is in the places UNC still leaves exposed. The Cardinals know they are dealing with an offense that can move the ball and create stress with multiple weapons, but one clear weakness remains for them to attack if they can keep Edwards from settling in and force the Tar Heels into tougher down-and-distance spots. Thurmans production at tight end and the depth around him give UNC answers, yet the Cardinals will be looking to make this a game where the improved parts of the Tar Heels offense have to carry the load every snap. [Read more 🡒]