LAS VEGAS — The Nets pledged to get more athletic this summer, and have spent the past month trying to do so.
But the process actually began at last season’s All-Star break, when coach Lionel Hollins looked down his bench and decided to give rookie Markel Brown a chance. Brown had spent the majority of the first half of the season as a paid observer.
Over the final two months, Brown moved into the starting lineup and averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in just under 23 minutes per game. He has spent the past two weeks playing for the Nets in their two summer leagues, trying to keep his momentum going.