Steve Kerr has kept an eye on Nets' growth
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
OAKLAND, Calif. — Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s NBA roots include a stint in the Spurs’ organization. That might explain why he is such a fan of Nets general manager Sean Marks, a former Spur, and the job coach Kenny Atkinson has done in slightly more than two seasons.
Asked about the growth of a Nets team that came to Oracle Arena on a three-game winning streak Saturday night, Kerr said, “You could see this building the last couple years. I think Sean Marks has done a good job of just finding talent without the use of lottery picks and finding some lottery talent with guys who are maybe on their second opportunity.
“Kenny has done a great job of establishing the fact that they’re going to play hard every night and they’re coming at you. We’ve had big leads that have dwindled. They’re building an identity, and as they continue to build their talent base, it’s going to be a franchise that I think bears watching in the next few years.”
Carroll back, Napier sits
DeMarre Carroll’s return from ankle surgery in the Nets’ win Friday night in Denver meant sending Shabazz Napier to the bench. Atkinson said it’s hard to expand his rotation beyond 10. “These are the tough decisions because I think Shabazz played well for us,” Atkinson said. “It’s just that we want to integrate DeMarre and figure out where he is and how he can help us. Is he going to play more at the wing? Is he going to play more at the four?”
Russell’s ‘D’ pleases
Atkinson loved the two-way play he saw from D’Angelo Russell in Denver, where he scored 23 points and played tough defense against Jamal Murray.
“I thought he won that battle, and he did it with his defense,” Atkinson said. “His maturity, his consistency, that’s what we’re starting to see. He’s starting to get over that hurdle.”
Tougher and tougher
Asked about Jimmy Butler being traded to division rival Philadelphia, Atkinson said, “It makes them an improved team. That’ll be a tough task, playing the 76ers now.”
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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