For all the talk about the Nets depth being their strength, there are only so many minutes per game (240, to be exact, barring OT) to go around.
So, Michael Grady says, nights like opening night against Golden State, where minutes can be spread around so evenly, are going to be key to the team’s success.
“We may see more games like that one than we see nail-biters. When they face elite teams, that can be closer – Boston, Milwaukee, Miami, Philadelphia – but there will be a lot of nights where it’s light work because they’re blowing a squad out,” Grady, the sideline reporter for YES Network’s Nets coverage, told Danielle McCartan early Thursday morning. “The key there is limit the minutes for Kyrie and KD; find a rhythm, get out in front, and try to give those guys ad much rest as you can. That keeps them fresh, because there is always concern about their health, but it also lets those guys who fill a role, but could be starting throughout the league, have a chance to step up. That’s really important, because you’ll have to rely on those guys when you get to May, June, and July.”
Those “role-players” Grady noted are guys like Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, and Jeff Green – the former two of whom were Nets starters for much of the last couple years, and could start on “60 to 80 percent of the teams in the league,” according to Chris Webber on TNT’s opening night broadcast.
When your tenth man and non-rotation players are guys used to playing big minutes, things can get a little touchy – but as Grady also noted, that depth is the Nets’ strength.
“There are a number of guys on this roster who fill a role, so it’s hard to say that if one guy isn’t on the roster, it falls apart. KD and Kyrie have been careful to say this is about all of us, and in game one, everyone played their role,” Grady said. “Joe Harris serves a big-time purpose. KD may not be extremely vocal, but he leads by example and speaks when he needs to. Kyrie is more vocal, but he has matured about saying the right things in the heat of battle, and DeAndre Jordan lightens the mood with jokes. There’s not one player where you can say the team comes together because of just them.”
Grady had more on the big Game 1 win and the Nets’ future, so listen to his entire interview with Danielle McCartan below!
Follow Danielle McCartan on Twitter: @CoachMcCartan
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