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As we near the beginning of the 2016-2017 season, the Brooklyn Nets need to start looking at their roster for the upcoming year. There are a few roster spots that will need to be addressed, but today we will look at the power forward position. Brook Lopez at center might be the only position on the team that’s locked in at this point, but who will be playing next to him on the low blocks? First, let’s take a quick glance at who the Nets have at the position.
The Nets head into camp with five power forwards on the roster. Those forwards are Trevor Booker, Anthony Bennett, Chris McCullough, Egidijus Mockevicius, and Luis Scola. The Nets won’t start the season with all five, but for now, this is what they’re working with.
I think it’s safe to say McCullough, Scola and Booker are locks to make the final cut. McCullough was on the team last year, and the Nets like the potential he brings to the table. Booker and Scola bring veteran leadership and experience to a team that need it dearly. Depending on how many other forwards the Nets want to keep, it looks like Bennett and Mockevicius won’t make the final cut.
So with the three forwards that the Nets are left with, how will they decide to pick their starter? McCullough is a young player, but is inexperienced, and the Nets might want a veteran in the lineup to help the young team run a smoother offense. Scola could be an option if the Nets really want him in there to stretch the floor. Booker could be in the mix, but I think the Nets will try to go with youth this season.
That leaves McCullough as the starter. The Nets’ future rests on how good their young picks develop. Because the team will be haunted by the Celtics trade until 2019, they need to develop the few young players they have. McCullough has a lot of potential, and will need the most playing time to get used to the NBA game.McCullough should really prosper in the starting role, and his offense can really take off if he gets the starting minutes. Scola and Booker will be great plug-ins that specialize in different areas.
The Nets have a long term approach, so letting McCullough start and play through his struggles will only help the team in the long run. If they are serious about their plan, than McCullough is really the only option to start. He had a decent summer league, and hopefully he can continue to use that momentum into camp and the preseason. The more confidence he gets, the better he’ll be come the regular season!
The Nets have a long term approach, so letting McCullough start and play through his struggles will only help the team in the long run. If they are serious about their plan, than McCullough is really the only option to start. He had a decent summer league, and hopefully he can continue to use that momentum into camp and the preseason. The more confidence he gets, the better he’ll be come the regular season!