The Brooklyn Nets open the 2015-16 season against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center
Home Opener: The Nets open their season at Barclays Center against the Chicago Bulls. The Nets have made Brooklyn a tough place to play for opposing teams, with a record of 72-51 at Barclays Center.
Lopez: Brook Lopez is the unquestioned offensive leader of the Brooklyn Nets. Lopez is the team’s top scoring threat, as the 7-foot-tall big man led the Nets with 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season. His ceiling is even higher than that, as he’s averaged over 20 points twice in his career, and averaged 19 in another two. Lopez finished the preseason strong, with a 24-point, nine-rebound line against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Off the court, General Manager Billy King wants to see Lopez evolve into more of a leader in the Nets locker room.
“You don’t have to be ‘rah-rah,’ jumping around waving towels, but we need you to push this group and help guide it where you want it to go,” King said he told Lopez. “You’ve got to put your stamp on it a little bit and I think he’s accepted that.”
Youth: General Manager Billy King and Nets head coach Lionel Hollins wanted a younger, more athletic team this season – and they’ve got it. The average age of the Nets is 25.7, a considerable drop from the previous two seasons. “It’s a young man’s game,” Hollins said. “You have to have people who can get up and down the court, who can cover people, run with people and compete against people. You like veterans; you like experience. You can’t just play with all older guys.”
Jarrett Jack’s Status: Jarrett Jack missed three straight practices with a sore hamstring. His status is unclear for Wednesday’s opener and Hollins said Shane Larkin will start if Jack can’t go.
Starting Five: The Nets will likely start the season with Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, Thaddeus Young, Wayne Ellington and Jarrett Jack as their starting five. If Jack can’t go, then Shane Larkin will be in the starting five on opening night.
Rose is a Thorn: A month after surgery to repair a fractured left orbital bone, Derrick Rose is back on the court for the Chicago Bulls. Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, is game-changer on the court and one of the NBA’s top talents when healthy. Rose only played one preseason game, shooting 4-for-6, for eight points and an assist against the Dallas Mavericks. Last season, Rose averaged 17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.
