The Bench Mob, as self-proclaimed by Andray Blatche, was an integral part of the Nets early successes. Since then, it's been shaky but for the most part its been reliable. As much as we love our Bench Mob, it would be ridiculous to give each of them their own post for a New Year's Resolution. So instead we're putting them together into two large posts. In no particular order, here we go!
MarShon Brooks
Ed Boulanger
Before the regular season began, it was assumed that MarShon Brooks would hold the role as the Nets' sixth man. But he wasn't given the role by Avery Johnson. His role with the team got to a point where he was getting DNP's on a consistent basis.
The number one resolution for MarShon Brooks is to find consistent plying time. He's playing 11.7 minutes per game in just 23 of the 31 games played so far on the season. His scoring numbers are very low because of this lack in playing time. He is averaging just 5.6 points per game.
Offense: Brooks' game is predicated on his offense. Everyone knows that. But there are still a lot of things that he needs to work on on the offensive side of the floor. A more consistent jump shot can put Brooks on a whole other level of talent. He's shooting an astounding 49.5% from the field this season, but is only shooting 26.7% from the three point line. In order for Brooks to get more burn on the floor, he will need to further develop his jump shot and become a consistent scorer. He also needs to stop passing up open shots to drive to the hoop and try to score over the opposing big men. He's a pure scorer and has great moves to get him to the basket, but when there's a seven-footer standing in the paint, chances are your shot will not fall. He needs to take his open jumpers when they are given to him. Another thing Brooks needs to work on is cutting out the isolation plays. His assist numbers are much too low for a guard. He is averaging just .8 assists per game.
Defense: This is the major area of Brooks' game that needs the most work. Though he has shown much improvement on the defensive end, he is still a overly mediocre defender. The length of MarShon Brooks is amazing. He has a wingspan of 7'1" and this should be used to his advantage on the defensive end. He has a hard time keeping opponents in front of him and seems to commit a lot of fouls when trying to steal the ball. He is averaging just .2 blocks and .4 steals per game. With the right leadership put in place, MarShon can easily become a solid defender, especially with the length he has. But until that happens, he needs to help himself to grow into a better defender.
New Year's Resolution: Earn more playing time and improve on defense.
Andray Blatche
Focus: It has been noted that Blatche had an good relationship with Avery and was shocked to see him lose his job after struggling. He even tweeted Nets general manager Billy King. It is important for Blatche to keep his high level of effort throughout this season. Blatche reverting back to his Washington days would be horrendous. He is desperately needed because of Brook Lopez's questionable health and his versatility.
Offense: Blatche is averaging about 11 points and 6 rebounds with the Nets which is pretty good as a backup. Even more impressive, Blatche offers many center including starters mismatches. He is often refered to as a "point center" but that may come as a disadvantage in some cases. Similar to Kris Humphries, Blatche likes to make shots harder. He'll pump fake more than once and it has become predictable. Flashy moves may not be needed all the time and it can make him look soft at 6'11. 47 turnovers for any NBA center is just terrible.
Defense: Blatche can be a much better player at protecting the basket when filling in for Lopez. Centers against him are averaging at least 50% from the field against him. He also likes to gamble for steals which is always risky when you're the center.
Blatche should be to just keep it simple. No need for flashiness on both offense and defense which can hurt the team. I believe he will continue to play with the same effort and focus because he still has doubters.
C.J. Watson
Ed Boulanger
C.J. Watson has seen plenty of playing time off the bench this season backing up Deron Williams. He was brought in on a veterans minimum contract and has played to everyone's expectations. The three point shot is falling and he's making a key impact to the "bench mob."
Offense: Watson has found himself on the floor, but is struggling to shoot a consistent jump shot inside the three point line. He is shooting just 37.7% from the floor while shooting an impressive 38.7% from three. Consistency seems to be the only major issue in Watson's game so far and it does need to be improved, especially if the guy he's backing up is struggling to score the ball. Passing is a pretty big issue for Watson so far in the season, as it is with the rest of the team. But as a point guard, Watson is averaging a low 1.7 assists per game, which is not acceptable for a point guard.
Defense: Watson's defense has been average so far this year. Not good, but not bad. His steals numbers are impressive, as he's averaging .7 a game coming off the bench. But he does have his struggles on the defensive end of the floor. A lot of the quicker guards tend to blow past him easily and get easy shots over him. For a backup point guard, his defense isn't bad. But just like on the offensive end, he needs to find consistency guarding his men and keeping them from getting easy baskets.
New Year's Resolution: Find more consistency on shots inside the three point line and passing.
Reggie Evans
Offensively Evans has been challenged and even he himself knows it. He's not looking to take shots, he doesn't care about the points. Throughout the season Evans has done a very good job of taking only high percentage shots, with 88% of all his shot attempts coming at the basket. Which is a good thing, because he hasn't made anything outside of that anyway. But even then, he's only converting on just a little over 50% of those shots. If he could bump that up even a little bit, it could go a long way in helping the Nets.
Defensively Reggie Evans has been exceptional. When he is on the court, the opposing team scores only 1.01 points per possession, good for best on the team. He knows how to get into position and draw the foul and the intimidation factor has its ways of causing opponents to hesitant on driving on him.
New Year's Resolution: Convert at a higher rate offensively, keep doing what you're doing elsewhere
Follow @NetsTakeOver
MarShon Brooks
Ed Boulanger
Before the regular season began, it was assumed that MarShon Brooks would hold the role as the Nets' sixth man. But he wasn't given the role by Avery Johnson. His role with the team got to a point where he was getting DNP's on a consistent basis.
Offense: Brooks' game is predicated on his offense. Everyone knows that. But there are still a lot of things that he needs to work on on the offensive side of the floor. A more consistent jump shot can put Brooks on a whole other level of talent. He's shooting an astounding 49.5% from the field this season, but is only shooting 26.7% from the three point line. In order for Brooks to get more burn on the floor, he will need to further develop his jump shot and become a consistent scorer. He also needs to stop passing up open shots to drive to the hoop and try to score over the opposing big men. He's a pure scorer and has great moves to get him to the basket, but when there's a seven-footer standing in the paint, chances are your shot will not fall. He needs to take his open jumpers when they are given to him. Another thing Brooks needs to work on is cutting out the isolation plays. His assist numbers are much too low for a guard. He is averaging just .8 assists per game.
Defense: This is the major area of Brooks' game that needs the most work. Though he has shown much improvement on the defensive end, he is still a overly mediocre defender. The length of MarShon Brooks is amazing. He has a wingspan of 7'1" and this should be used to his advantage on the defensive end. He has a hard time keeping opponents in front of him and seems to commit a lot of fouls when trying to steal the ball. He is averaging just .2 blocks and .4 steals per game. With the right leadership put in place, MarShon can easily become a solid defender, especially with the length he has. But until that happens, he needs to help himself to grow into a better defender.
New Year's Resolution: Earn more playing time and improve on defense.
Andray Blatche
Anthony Dixon
Andray Blatche leader of the "bench mob" has had his fair of ups and down over his career .
Much credit to Avery Johnson for giving Blatche a chance to revitalize his career after playing for the Washington Wizards. Before this season, he lacked focus and determination to stay in shape. Now the story has changed dramatically and he may be in contention with comeback player of the year if he keeps up the play. For that to happen,Blatche needs a few resolutions for this year.
Focus: It has been noted that Blatche had an good relationship with Avery and was shocked to see him lose his job after struggling. He even tweeted Nets general manager Billy King. It is important for Blatche to keep his high level of effort throughout this season. Blatche reverting back to his Washington days would be horrendous. He is desperately needed because of Brook Lopez's questionable health and his versatility.Offense: Blatche is averaging about 11 points and 6 rebounds with the Nets which is pretty good as a backup. Even more impressive, Blatche offers many center including starters mismatches. He is often refered to as a "point center" but that may come as a disadvantage in some cases. Similar to Kris Humphries, Blatche likes to make shots harder. He'll pump fake more than once and it has become predictable. Flashy moves may not be needed all the time and it can make him look soft at 6'11. 47 turnovers for any NBA center is just terrible.
Defense: Blatche can be a much better player at protecting the basket when filling in for Lopez. Centers against him are averaging at least 50% from the field against him. He also likes to gamble for steals which is always risky when you're the center.
Blatche should be to just keep it simple. No need for flashiness on both offense and defense which can hurt the team. I believe he will continue to play with the same effort and focus because he still has doubters.
C.J. Watson
Ed Boulanger
C.J. Watson has seen plenty of playing time off the bench this season backing up Deron Williams. He was brought in on a veterans minimum contract and has played to everyone's expectations. The three point shot is falling and he's making a key impact to the "bench mob."
Offense: Watson has found himself on the floor, but is struggling to shoot a consistent jump shot inside the three point line. He is shooting just 37.7% from the floor while shooting an impressive 38.7% from three. Consistency seems to be the only major issue in Watson's game so far and it does need to be improved, especially if the guy he's backing up is struggling to score the ball. Passing is a pretty big issue for Watson so far in the season, as it is with the rest of the team. But as a point guard, Watson is averaging a low 1.7 assists per game, which is not acceptable for a point guard.
Defense: Watson's defense has been average so far this year. Not good, but not bad. His steals numbers are impressive, as he's averaging .7 a game coming off the bench. But he does have his struggles on the defensive end of the floor. A lot of the quicker guards tend to blow past him easily and get easy shots over him. For a backup point guard, his defense isn't bad. But just like on the offensive end, he needs to find consistency guarding his men and keeping them from getting easy baskets.
New Year's Resolution: Find more consistency on shots inside the three point line and passing.
Reggie Evans
Ali Tahir
Reggie Evans came in to the Nets with the expectations to provide two things: rebounding and toughness. Evans has done everything to exceed the expectations set on him. In his 20.6 minutes per game, he's grabbing an outstanding 8.2 rebounds per game. A per 36 of that would rank him as one of the top rebounders in the league. He's shown his grit and determination play in and play out. There's not much he can really improve on there.Offensively Evans has been challenged and even he himself knows it. He's not looking to take shots, he doesn't care about the points. Throughout the season Evans has done a very good job of taking only high percentage shots, with 88% of all his shot attempts coming at the basket. Which is a good thing, because he hasn't made anything outside of that anyway. But even then, he's only converting on just a little over 50% of those shots. If he could bump that up even a little bit, it could go a long way in helping the Nets.
Defensively Reggie Evans has been exceptional. When he is on the court, the opposing team scores only 1.01 points per possession, good for best on the team. He knows how to get into position and draw the foul and the intimidation factor has its ways of causing opponents to hesitant on driving on him.
New Year's Resolution: Convert at a higher rate offensively, keep doing what you're doing elsewhere
Follow @NetsTakeOver
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