The Brooklyn Nets rolled out the same starting five in their second preseason game vs. the Phoenix Suns in Macao as they did in the first. Nolan Traore once again got the start over fellow rookie Ben Saraf at point guard, next to Cam Thomas, Michael Porter Jr., Terance Mann, and Nic Claxton.
Unlike that first game, though, the starters limped out of the gate. They trailed the Suns by double digits after one quarter, mainly due to a spotty defense who attempted to be aggressive but could not execute…
Traore, despite making a couple early layups, did not shine in this preseason contest. He finished with 4/3/2 and four turnovers, often over-penetrating and getting stuck without options in a crowded restricted area. Early on, Saraf did the same; he recorded just three turnovers but put the ball in harm’s more often that.
Cam Thomas willing himself to the line, along with Michael Porter Jr. nailing some tough jumpers, saved Brooklyn’s offense in the first half. They led Brooklyn with 16 and 15 points respectively, though combined for just three assists. Phoenix, understandably, was much better prepared the second time around. Their physicality at the point-of-attack pushed back dribble handoffs and ball-screens, and suddenly, Nic Claxton touching the ball that often 25 feet from the rim seemed suspect.
Brooklyn did get back into the game though, largely due to their defense. Drake Powell supplanted Tyrese Martin in the ten-man rotation, and the athletic rookie was apparently the only Net who could contain Collin Gillespie off the dribble. Sadly, we did not get to see Powell have a shot at Devin Booker, but it was tough to complain about his 16 minutes, in which he hit a couple threes…
The third quarter resembled the first Macao matchup between these teams; the points flowed and the threes fell. Ziaire Williams ended up with 15 points, hitting four long-balls, and while Traore’s struggles continued, Saraf settled in. He only scored four points on Sunday, but ended up with 11 of the team’s 21 assists. His last five assists all went to 3-pointers, with the 6’6” guard him penetrating the lane, slowing down, and seeing over help defense…
Brooklyn’s defense, especially in transition, was really rough, with the Suns getting dunk after dunk after dunk, but the Chinese fans were sure excited watching NBA basketball in their country for the first time in six years.
Even the fourth quarter, which saw both teams empty their benches, was exciting. The Nets played three of their rookies together in a jumbo lineup with Saraf and Powell sharing the floor with Noah Clowney, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Danny Wolf. Clowney continues to inspire confidence; perhaps this is simply a wish rather than reality, but his added strength makes his 3-point shot feel easier, smoother. Indeed, Clowney hit a couple threes and scored eight points in his 18 minutes.
Danny Wolf, meanwhile, played a dozen _loud_ minutes, all down the stretch of this one. He made some fun plays…
…and he threw in some head-scratchers, but it’s now evident that when he touches the floor this year, you won’t forget it. Even with Saraf sharing the floor, Wolf acted almost as Brooklyn’s primary ball-handler, initiating all of his offense from outside the arc. He put up 9/4/1 with two turnovers, banking in a three that gave Brooklyn the lead with 1:36 left.
We were headed for yet another overtime contest when, by the grace of God, old friend David Duke Jr. fouled Tyrese Martin on a last-second 3-point attempt to break the tie. Martin calmly sunk two of three, landing him at 11 points in just eight minutes, and the Nets completed their comeback.
Said Jordi Fernández postgame: “We have to be better handling physicality ... But the resiliency, I’m very happy with. Our guys, how much they fought, and they tried to do the right things, especially our second unit, third unit.”
And so ends Brooklyn’s swing to the Eastern Hemisphere, which certainly had wider-ranging implications than basketball, though the basketball was informative too. It will be hard for Jordi Fernández to keep the rookies off the floor, not only because that’s what the fans are living and dying to see, but because it will help the inevitable tank. You know, the one Joe Tsai [**alluded**](/nets-analysis/99835/did-joe-tsai-suggest-brooklyn-nets-are-tanking) to by saying, “you can predict what kind of strategy we will use for this season.”
By the way, Fernández was asked about that quote postgame, and gave a short masterclass in deflection: “He says he wants a good draft pick because no matter where we pick, our front office is so good that we’re gonna pick a very good player. And it’s been proved with Noah Clowney, J-Will, the five guys we picked this year.”
Very smooth, Jordi. Very smooth indeed.
**Final Score: Brooklyn Nets 111, Phoenix Suns 109**
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