Nets' 'Aura Bros' Starting Backcourt May Be Delayed

The Brooklyn Nets will be experiencing some growing pains early on this season, as new pieces gel with returners and Mikel Brown Jr. gets fully healthy.

Brown, the Nets' top draft pick from this past year's class, saw limited appearances in both the NBA Summer League and preseason, as he has dealt with a lingering lower-body injury since being selected.

He started this season on a minutes restriction, with head coach Jordi Fernández saying it will be a bit of time before Brown makes his way into the first five.

"It's pretty hard to share minutes when it's on the bench, off the bench," Fernández said following Game 1. "I'm trying to work the groups and trying to have guys play together, but it's hard to do it in certain ways without breaking up the player's rhythm."

Without Brown in the starting backcourt, it will be on second-year BYU product Egor Dëmin to carry the bulk of the playmaking load.

Dëmin struggled in the 110-103 loss against the Charlotte Hornets, scoring just 4 points.

But, he was the Nets' top player at the Summer League, and has been pinned as a player poised for a big sophomore-year jump.

After averaging 21 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game in Las Vegas, Dëmin was asked about his relationship with Brown and a budding nickname for the duo circulating around social media.

"The Aura Bros? I've seen that a little bit. He's been a really good friend of mine ever since he's here..." Demin told ClutchPoints reporter Kris Pursiainen. "I think we have a really good opportunity to be around each other a little bit, get to know each other. Get to feel what it is for the regular season, for the main team... I'm very happy with the idea of me and him being a duo, backcourt. I'm very happy."

With talented players on the wing like Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr., both Brown and Demin will be secondary scoring options during the regular season, but their playmaking abilities will be a huge boost.

Porter's perimeter shooting will provide space for both guards, who are tall for their position, to drive lanes and spray out to shooters on the wing.

Randle, who likes to get downhill off kickouts and finish with his size and strength, will take on the physical toll for Brooklyn while displaying leadership and professionalism.

Thus far, both Randle and Porter look like they are in for big years, combining for 59 points against the Hornets.

With contrasting styles of play, both players should benefit from playing alongside one another as the season continues.

Brooklyn looks to get in the win column Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Cleveland Cavaliers.