The Brooklyn Nets on Friday looked like the Brooklyn Nets we’ve seen the last couple of seasons, competitive, scrappy, but ultimately undermanned. Playing without several higher-profile performancers, the Nets lost their Summer League opener to the Orlando Magic, 86-80.
Going into the game, the Nets were sitting draft picks Dzanan Musa (not expected to play in Las Vegas) and Rodions Kurucs, as well as young veterans Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, long-time draft-and-stash player Juan Pablo Vaulet and Chinese import Ding Yanyuhang.
The news about Ding was the most disappointing, as he returned to China and will not play in the Summer League.