These Brooklyn players have flashed their potential next to Michael Porter Jr. And all are capable of closing out the season strong.
The Brooklyn Nets have three rest days left now that the NBA All-Star Game has wrapped up.
Michael Porter Jr. is expected to be fully recharged from his oceanic getaway. Though other members of the Nets will attempt to ride a momentum wave they've created. Two happen to have become sharpened thanks to some notable coaching.
Despite the dismal record, Brooklyn can still aim to close out the season in strong fashion and build for next season. Just as long as their efforts don't fall into a tanking investigation Adam Silver has warned to the rest of the league.
But here are three members of the Nets who have flashed some potential this season -- and are the most capable of finishing out strong.
Day'Ron Sharpe
Sharpe delivered a stout February -- dropping 19 points on three different nights.
Nets assistant head coach Juwan Howard has a lot to do with sharpening Sharpe. He explained what he fixed via the Nets Pod with Sarah Kustok.
"I looked and saw that there was a part of his game that we need to work on and improve on and that was his finishing in the paint," Howard said.
Sharpe could be playing his way into a more consistent starting role moving forward -- regardless if its with Brooklyn or elsewhere.
Nic Claxton
The top big in Brooklyn is "Clax." And even he has big aspirations per Howard's words.
"His goal is Defensive Player of the year because of his athleticism as well as his ability to protect the rim," Howard said on the Nets Pod.
Claxton enters the second-half of the NBA season on a hot scoring streak: Reaching double figures in his last five games before the All-Star weekend.
The post presence is also lauded for his ability to distribute the ball down low.
Nolan Traore
Here's a first-year talent starting to hit more of a stride.
Traore delivered his first career double-double against the Chicago Bulls. Then came back to drop 20 points on the Rick Carlisle led Indiana Pacers -- prompting the two-time NBA Finals winner to praise the development of the rookie.
Traore has flashed as a lane attacker and passer. Brooklyn fans are optimistic about him and Egor Demin representing this team for years to come.
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