Aside from seeing their team get back to work, there wasn’t much for Nets fans to be excited about after Brooklyn lost 99-68 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
The Nets didn’t get off to an ideal start, but they were also down multiple players — including Joe Harris, Tyler Johnson and Jamal Crawford. Good thing for the Nets that the game doesn’t count toward their playoff push.
But there was at least one bright spot for the team, at least from Jacque Vaughn and Garrett Temple’s vantage point, in the sizeable loss: Rodions Kurucs.
The forward finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot. Additionally, he had to handle playing the role of the five — something Kurucs normally does not need to do. Between practice reps and Wednesday, Vaughn likes what he’s seen from the foward:
I think Rodi has really had a good couple weeks for us. He carried it over to a game setting, and that’s what you wanna see.
"There's nothing like playing the game of basketball…obviously the timing and the rhythm wasn't where we want it to be right now, but got some takeaways of what we need to improve on."
Coach Vaughn's full comments after last night's scrimmage 🎥 pic.twitter.com/WkjeghyOHZ
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 23, 2020
With Jarrett Allen being Brooklyn’s only true center at Disney, the Nets need some fours to take on the role of a small five at times. Whoever can take on that responsibility won’t simply receive more minutes, those individuals can also further prove they should be part of Brooklyn’s future — when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are prepared to make their push.
.@RODIONS1 nifty through the lane 💨 pic.twitter.com/6h5fMYtaYX
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 23, 2020
It’s early in the restart, but Temple is pleased with what Kurucs has done, per Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily:
Rodi looked really good for us. He’s gonna be good for us… I really like the way Rodi played tonight and the way he’s played in practice.
Kurucs will get his next chance to prove himself on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. when the Nets face the San Antonio Spurs.