Jarrett Allen, Rodions Kurucs get big minutes in Nets' summer league opener
Brooklyn Nets forward Rodions Kurucs dunks as Sacramento Kings forward Justin Jackson looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Barclays Center on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
LAS VEGAS — If the Nets’ Summer League opener on Friday was any indication, the emphasis will be on preparing current starters Jarrett Allen and Rodions Kurucs as well as 2018 first-round choice Dzanan Musa, who spent most of his time in the G League last season, to compete for spots in the rotation on what promises to be a much more talented roster with the coming additions of Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan, not to mention Kevin Durant after a year off to recover from his ruptured Achilles tendon.
Those three plus Theo Pinson all played from 25 to 29 minutes and all scored in double figures Friday, and coach Adam Harrington used only nine players on his 15-man roster. But the Nets rescinded their qualifying offer and renounced their rights to Pinson on Saturday as part of a salary cap-clearing move.
“We’re taking it game by game, but we definitely came out here with the thought of giving them as much experience as possible and putting them in some different situations,” Harrington said of the Nets’ young veterans.
“Everybody on our roster is going to get an opportunity, but for those guys, we’re going to heavily rely on them to not only do it on the basketball court but lead off the court.”
Musa played only 39 NBA minutes last season, so this is an important chance to show he can compete for second-team minutes at two-guard or small forward. He had 12 points in the opener but shot 4-for-13.
“I think he’s looked at the roster and he wants to be a part of it,” Harrington said. “As soon as the season was over, he’s been in the gym the whole time. It’s really exciting for him to get an opportunity. He had a really great year in the G League last year, and now he’s out here in front of everybody and can show what he’s been working on.”
Kurucs, a surprise last season as a second-round pick who wound up starting 46 games, is tight with Musa. He is encouraging Musa’s progress and has shown what it takes to compete.
“Musa got better with his shot and his decisions,” Kurucs said. “He is competing and playing tough and showing he wants to play. Musa got better also on defense. He’s competing really hard. It’s good to see guys progressing and getting better at the things they were not so good.”
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
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