Nets find a few surprises in Orlando bubble
Nets interim head coach Jacque Vaughn has been surprised by a number of his players who have opted into the NBA’s restart in Orlando.
Caris LeVert looks, sounds and plays like the leader the team needs him to be. Joe Harris embodies professionalism, giving his all in practice every day. Garrett Temple has been “unbelievable” leading both the first and second unit, connecting the team as a veteran who’ll be needed to play large minutes with both groups.
“I’d say Jeremiah Martin has been a surprise for us. His ability to compete,” Vaughn concluded. “That’s all we ask at this beginning stage is to compete. Whether that’s knowing the plays, knowing different implementations, or having yourself ready every day. I give him a pat on the back as well.”
Martin has appeared in only three games for the Nets this season. The rookie went undrafted in 2019 but flourished in the G League, averaging almost 18 points, five assists and two steals per game for the Long Island Nets.
Martin, 6-3, is a crafty, slashing guard who enjoys initiating contact while finishing at the rim. As a senior at Memphis, Martin averaged 20 points and five assists, while shooting just under 35%.
Martin signed a two-way contract with the Nets in January, but due to the backcourt depth of Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, LeVert and Chris Chiozza, he rarely saw time on the floor. That projects to change with the shorthanded roster Vaughn has at his disposal in Orlando.
“Jeremiah’s been a huge addition for us,” LeVert said of Martin. “He’s very quick with the basketball, makes great decisions, very good shooter, too. I liked him when he was in college in Memphis. It’s been cool to be on the same team with him and learn some things from him, as well.”
Martin is one of several Nets expected to see a role increase. The team lost a large chunk of its roster transitioning into the Orlando restart: Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Kevin Durant (Achilles) and Nic Claxton (shoulder) will all miss the remainder of the season rehabbing from surgery. Wilson Chandler opted out of the Orlando bubble amid coronavirus fears, while Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince each tested positive for the virus before the team left for Orlando, ruling them out of the remainder of the season.
Rodions Kurucs has been practicing with the starters and is expected to play minutes at both the four and five. Both Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Joe Harris expect to make cameo appearances at the four, as well. Chiozza, meanwhile, has practiced with the first unit as the starting point guard.
The Nets addressed their roster woes by signing replacements for those players affected by the coronavirus: Michael Beasley, Jamal Crawford and another G-Leaguer in the 6-foot-9 big man, Donta Hall. The Nets also waived reserve guard Theo Pinson and signed combo guard Tyler Johnson, who is expected to play minutes at both guard positions.
The Nets can use all the help they can get, and at least in training camp, it appears Martin is giving his team a hand.