The Nets had two of the best offensive players in the NBA on the floor in crunch time against the Bucks on Thursday night -- so naturally when they needed a bucket the most, the shot went to Bruce Brown.
Brown, acquired in a trade with the Pistons last offseason, has mostly rewarded the Nets for their increasing reliance on him as their rotations have tightened down the stretch and into the postseason. The 24-year-old former second-round draft pick has even found himself in the starting lineup throughout the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Milwaukee with James Harden sidelined by a hamstring injury, providing energy and defensive versatility.
Brown played well overall in 38 minutes in Game 3, chipping in 11 boards, 3 assists and 16 points on 47% percent shooting -- but no one envisioned him taking the shot on what would prove to be the Nets' last good look on offense.
The anticlimactic finish played out with about 25 seconds left on the clock and the Nets trailing by 1 point. Brooklyn's Kyrie Irving ran a screen and role with Brown well behind the 3-point line, and delivered a bounce pass to Brown at about the free-throw line as he cut toward the basket. Brown pulled up for a difficult-looking floater a step inside the paint. But the shot was well short, grazing the front of the rim before the rebound was corralled by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Yo what was Bruce Brown out there doing yesterday??? 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/T1ji44ZrfF
— Duke (@dhawkz_) June 11, 2021
Though Brown had an open-ish look and the Nets did in fact get one more possession later on, the apparent play call of a two-man action involving Brown and Irving -- with Durant relegated to mere spectator despite his sizzling second-half shooting hand -- left a lot to be desired for many observers on social media.
KD after Bruce Brown floater pic.twitter.com/wVa31UXiBw
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 11, 2021
Who Bruce Brown thought he was shooting that 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/paOLy3TVHd
— Lucas (IFB) | Follow Limit (@DlNWIDDIESTAN) June 11, 2021
steve nash to bruce brown after the game pic.twitter.com/20UmqYxnM0
— Just the Tip (@bananacrisp0114) June 11, 2021
Bruce Brown with the game on the line pic.twitter.com/H2Csb6kZJ3
— Gino ⚜️⚜️⚜️ (@WhoDat_Joness) June 11, 2021
Bruce Brown trying to explain to KD and the rest of the Nets players why he took the last shot: pic.twitter.com/gDhzjFa2cw
— Jose (@JZepeda_13) June 11, 2021
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