The Nets are currently an Eastern Conference-best 14-6, as they’re currently ranked sixth in defensive rating in the league.
A huge part of their success has to do with DeAndre’ Bembry, who’s arguably been the most important part of the “Blue Collar Boys.”
“He gives us some speed and athleticism; he gives us a defender out there who can guard No. 1 options on the other team, and he also is a cutter offensively for us. So he’s been great,” head coach Steve Nash said. “We’ve been working with him to really understand his role, and I think he’s been fantastic with his willingness to compete and to grow as a player. So, really proud of his effort and he’s getting better.”
The Nets struggled for much of the game against the Suns on Saturday, but they made a late run against the second-best team in the league because of Bembry’s willingness to play hard on both sides of the ball.
“He played incredible [on Saturday] — playing defense on the ball, cutting to the rim, making himself available, rebounding,” Kevin Durant said. “We’re going to need that from him. He was a spark for us and he was one of the bright spots out there. So hopefully he can continue to build on this and keep getting better.”
More Nets Notes
- LaMarcus Aldridge was forced into retirement back in April, but now finds himself as one of the most important pieces of the Nets’ roster several months later, Alex Schiffer of The Athletic writes. Aldridge is averaging 13.8 points on 58 percent shooting from the floor.
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Blake Griffin finds himself out of the Nets’ rotation, as he’s struggling to find his shot this season. “No, I mean listen, [Aldridge] has been playing unbelievable,” Griffin said. “So, I totally get starting him, especially Joe [Harris] has been out, and I totally get that. Being completely out of it, though, I didn’t necessarily see that coming. But that’s not my decision. As players it’s our job to do whatever coaches see best, so at this point that’s what it is.” Griffin also said he reached out to DeAndre Jordan about how to handle the demotion, as he believes Jordan did a “really good job” with handling his demotion on the Nets’ roster last season.
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James Harden has struggled to live up to his MVP self this season, admitting he’s having trouble finding a balance between scoring the ball and being a playmaker. “Honestly, I’m trying to figure all that out now. I’m trying to figure it out” Harden said. “[I’m] trying to figure out when to score, when to be a play-maker, when to run an offense and when to do a little bit of everything. I’m just trying to figure it out. It’s been a little difficult. It’s been a little difficult and I’m trying to figure it out.” If Kyrie Irving was in the lineup, Harden could easily revert back to focusing on being more of a playmaker, something he thrived at last season.
- Joe Harris will be out for 4-to-8 weeks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Harris got surgery to remove a “loose body” in his left ankle.
- With Irving being away from the team, the organization still keeps in touch with him. Bembry has been in touch with Irving, but is also trying to give him space, our own Sameer Kumar relays.
