Nets' Brown Embracing Bench Role to Start NBA Career

The Brooklyn Nets will likely employ free agent signing Keon Ellis as the starting shooting guard early in the season, allowing No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. to get fully healthy and acclimated to the speed of the NBA.

Brown was limited to just one appearance in the NBA Preseason, and head coach Jordi Fernández has talked about likely working him back up to starter minutes.

For Brown, he remains unfazed regardless of his role, as he told media on Oct. 16.

"If I come off the bench or I start, it’s still going to be me regardless," Brown said. "I don’t look at that stuff. If I start, I start. If I come off the bench, I come off the bench. Just continue to do what I do."

While it was a limited sample size, Brown looked the part throughout the offseason, displaying the combination of 3-point shooting and driving ability that made him such an intriguing prospect.

Against the Miami Heat's preseason squad, Brown scored 15 points, adding three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in just 18 minutes.

Brown got going early on after entering off the bench, hitting his first shot attempt - a wing 3-pointer.

Defensively, Brown showed great anticipation off the ball, intercepting two passes and turning them into easy baskets the other way.

The connections being built between Brown and his teammates has been evident as well, with multiple players voicing their support for him to have a big year.

Following the game, Fernández spoke on Brown's performance.

"[I liked] his pace and how he moves...He looked great. And it's just the first few minutes. He's gonna continue to get better and build from there," Fernández said. "I love his communication, how engaged he was with his teammates."

Alongside second-year guard Egor Dëmin, who has seemingly taken a jump heading into this season, the Nets' front office is feeling good about the future of it's backcourt.

Dëmin will have a bigger playmaking and initiating load without Brown in the starting five, but I anticipate it won't be long until Brown is given that opportunity.

Brown's upside and potential fit next to Dëmin is extremely promising, especially with the added value he brings on the defensive end.

Both players can score from all three levels and should continue to grow as passers and all-around players.

Brown makes his NBA debut Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., hosting the Charlotte Hornets.