Jarrett’s Allen’s third season in the NBA was another step in the right direction.
He averaged career-highs in points, rebounds and assists while remaining an elite rim protector. And he was even better in the bubble as he played a key role as the short-handed Nets held onto the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The 2017 first-round pick received a second-team vote for NBA all-defensive consideration.
Yet, when the Nets opened the preseason on Sunday against the Wizards, Allen found himself on the bench, taking a backseat to veteran DeAndre Jordan. It remains to be seen if that will be the depth chart when the season starts.
“I haven’t made any hard and fast decisions,” coach Steve Nash said over Zoom on Tuesday. “I think we have to stay ready and be fluid, night-to-night it could change, I haven’t made any decisions.”
Allen was the better of the two last year — he averaged 1.8 more points than Jordan, 0.4 more blocks and 0.4 fewer rebounds in 4.5 more minutes per game — though he still found himself on the bench when Kenny Atkinson was fired in the middle of the season and replaced on an interim basis by Jacque Vaughn. Jordan is very close to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and at the time of the move last year, ESPN reported Jordan coming off the bench was a “simmering issue” with certain Nets players.
At 32, Jordan has a decided experience edge on Allen, though Allen is the younger and more athletic player.
“If I’m going to start DJ, it’s because he’s had a long history of being a very good defender himself,” Nash said. “He also is a threat rolling to the basket and sucking in the defense and a vertical threat.
“They are both guys that are going to play, both bring similar but slightly different personalities to their profile. I like them both and both will play a role for the team.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t going anywhere, announcing his decision to sign a $228.2 million contract extension on Tuesday with the Bucks. It means the Bucks will remain a legitimate title contender in the years to come.
“I don’t really want to comment on other teams, but I think it’s great,” Nash said. “They’ve built something great there in Milwaukee. The fans got to love having the MVP in their building. They’re a team that’s knocking on the door of a championship, so I think it’s great for that fan base and they’re going to be an incredible team again.”
The Nets officially announced that Bret Brielmaier will take over as the head coach of the Long Island Nets, their G-League affiliate. He has served as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets for the last four years.
