Can the hero of Monday's National Championship game fit Brooklyn? Time to dive in.
Were the Brooklyn Nets watching the Michigan Wolverines closely during Final Four weekend?
The team did have Monday off, handing them the luxury of watching the national champions perform against UConn.
Come to think of it, Brooklyn definitely should have been watching the Wolverines closely.
One would think general manager Sean Marks and head coach Jordi Fernandez will seek proven winners, and not just ultra talented players on the hardwood. Plus the early success of Danny Wolf on the Nets hands Brooklyn another reason to take Michigan guys more seriously...since Wolf played in Ann Arbor before landing in the league.
Time to look closely at which members of the Wolverines can fit the Nets ahead of the NBA Draft. Starting with Monday's Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau.
Cadeau is true facilitator
Head coach Dusty May once lured in a turnover prone point guard out of North Carolina.
But May turned him into a slasher, scorer and selfless facilitator.
Cadeau dished out 10 assists in two NCAA Tournament games while on their way to the national championship. UConn, however, swung the game open for him to take over.
The Huskies clearly wanted to neutralize the front court through Tarris Reed Jr. and their bigs. But that allowed Cadeau to take advantage off his shooting touch and attacks through the lane.
Brooklyn is guard heavy with Nolan Traore leading the future. However, it's been said that Traore isn't a true point guard and looks more like a shooter. Cadeau can be a potential depth piece here if added.
Here's another strength Cadeau presents.
Cadeau can get hot from 3-point land
UConn went cold from behind the arc. Michigan and Cadeau took advantage.
That means Cadeau can come in and play the role of closer on the floor. He got hot from 3-point land to help bury the Huskies.
He's buried other foes too from long range during Big Ten play. Cadeau would be a contender for sixth man duties early on but also provide a soft shooting touch when Fernandez needs a spark from long distance.
Is Cadeau NBA ready?
He's not the most coveted NBA prospect on the champs. Plus teams including the Nets may shy away because of Cadeau's turnover history.
But he looked vastly changed from his North Carolina disappointment. Cadeau would walk into the league more confident and carrying a championship ring in tow.
He feels like a Fernandez guy with his passer ability mixed with 3-point shooting. He could be a bargain in the second round if he comes out, and if the Nets consider.
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