To call me a fringe NBA fan would be generous. Despite my birth certificate saying I’m 27, anyone who’s ever watched a game with me would assume I’m 30 years older for how many missed travel calls I scoff at. You’d think I saw “Pistol” Pete Maravich in his LSU days based on every fancy pass receiving a “who does this guy think he is?” from yours truly. That said, I’m still aware of the league, who’s good, who’s bad, who’s under performing, who’s exceeding expectations, etc.

One thing that isn’t getting enough attention, at least according to my Instagram feed, is that of the Brooklyn Nets season. They’ve stood out for a two reasons:

1. This guy. 

I don’t know his name, but I call him “Create-A-Player.” Impossible not to notice him on any Nets highlight.

(after further research, his name is Jarrett Allen)

And 2. D’Angelo Russell.

Once labeled a bust, who’s most notable contribution to his team was being the worst wingman of all time,

has finally found his stride after being traded from the LA Lakers to Brooklyn as his numbers this season are exceeding all his career averages in literally every stat imaginable.

I can only imagine up to 8.

His trade, at the time, looked less of Brooklyn trying to improve and more of Los Angeles trying to move on from a bad draft pick. However, Brooklyn has reached success they haven’t head in years due to the performance Russell is putting on. What makes it even better is that he’s doing it after early season starlet, Caris Lavert, went down with a horrible leg injury.

NSFL

But in his personal success, he might have solved a league wide problem.

It’s no secret that the league now operates on friendship. I personally don’t know why there’s the need for scouts or GM’s anymore considering the players do far more to bring in free agents than they do.

In order to bypass that, we see super stars like DeMarcus Cousins and Kawhi Leonard getting traded while under contract so that teams still feel that have a semblance of control and in hopes that their popularity will attract other championship level talent.

It hasn’t worked yet.

(Last one doesn’t apply, but still.)

But I think the Nets are onto something here. I think they found a way to break the mold.

What if, instead of bringing in talented players who have strong relationships with other talents around the league, you bring in talented players who have burned every bridge in their past and hope they pan out?

I mean, it’s a small sample size, but it’s literally worked 100% of the time, according to my research.

We need to get away from super teams. They will ruin the league. The NBA doesn’t want to be known more for their off the court E! Network story lines than their competition. The Brooklyn Nets are the blue print on how to make that happen.

PS: What is it with these kind of names and iconic haircuts?

Jarrett Allen

Jarred Allen

I know what my son’s first and middle name will be.