Nets veteran playing a vital mentoring role
The Nets think the sky is the limit for Jarrett Allen, but know he’s going to need a teacher to help him reach those heights. Now more than ever, they are convinced Ed Davis is the right man for the job.
“That’s why you have Ed Davis around,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said of Davis, questionable for Friday’s game against the Timberwolves because of a left ankle sprain. “He’s coaching when you’re not coaching. Great influence on our young guys.
“I’ve seen Ed take him aside after practice, before practice, talking post defense. These [vets], they have the nuances. They understand the game. He’s been a great influence not only on Jarrett Allen, but our whole group.
“He’s just a solid, solid professional and the type of guy we like to bring in here,’’ Atkinson added. “We want to help him grow obviously first and foremost, but he’s helping our young guys grow, too.”
Davis clearly has helped Allen, pushing him to be a better rebounder and teaching him the tricks of the big-man trade. Davis is sixth in the NBA in rebounds per 36 minutes (17.0), and having that boardwork rub off on Allen makes the one-year, $4 million deal general manager Sean Marks gave him money well spent.
“When I signed here, Sean didn’t say, ‘We want you to mentor Jarret Allen,’ ’’ Davis said. “But I’m an intelligent guy, and I think Sean knew that by doing his diligence and his homework and whatnot. I wasn’t going to come in here like, ‘Oh, [crap], I’m trying to start, I’m trying I take his minutes.’
“I’m trying to win, and I’m trying to help him, because of the direction this franchise is headed.”
Allen has been on a hot streak since returning from illness four games ago, and Atkinson credits his improved rebounding not just to offseason strength work, but to his in-season work with Davis.
“The weight room is part of it,’’ Atkinson said. “It’s his natural maturing, his maturation, that’s part of it. But it’s also … Ed Davis’ influence.
“He told me [Wednesday], ‘I see Ed getting all those offensive rebounds.’ He goes, ‘Why don’t I go do the same thing?’
“He’s learning some tricks from Ed. That’s why it’s nice having those veteran guys around. [Allen’s] offensive rebounding, his rebounding overall has improved. It’s been a big factor, and obviously he keeps protecting the rim for us.”
Allen is a gifted shot-blocker, but he has had to get more physical, and learn to do all the dirty work that Davis specializes in. Davis leads the league in box-outs per 36 minutes (18.6) and is top 10 in screen assists per 36, even more vital to get spot-up shooters like Allen Crabbe and Joe Harris open. It’s grunt work he takes pride in.
“Obviously it’s not what’s glorified on TV or with the average fan,” Davis said. “But I take pride in everything I do. I play this game for respect, and that’s pretty much it. ... That’s just who I am.”