DAWN OF A NEW RONDAE
Nets’ future brighter with RHJ boost
If the Nets emerge from this injury-riddled season knowing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is a reliable piece to continue building around, then that’s a success.
It isn’t the holy grail — perhaps a fully healthy unit competing for the East’s eighth seed deserves that title — but it is a major silver lining for an organization that once again will cede their first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Amid a 2-7 stretch that has buried Brooklyn in the standings, Hollis-Jefferson has shown more promising signs of development. He followed up a 19-point outing against Utah over the weekend with a 16-point, nine-rebound performance versus the Celtics on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old had a quiet first two seasons, logging around 22 minutes per contest and posting modest stat lines (7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds) that may have instilled some doubt about his potential.
But with a greater role, the 23rd-overall selection in 2015 is breaking out this year — averaging 14.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks, and shooting a career-high 49 percent from the field.
“It comes with the summer process — putting in that work. In the gym, watching film, seeing areas I can improve on,” he said after practice Wednesday.
Already well-known for his skill as a defender, Hollis-Jefferson is evolving into a force on both ends.
He has been particularly adept from midrange, knocking down 52 percent of his jumpers from 10-16 feet compared to 35 percent in 2016-17. Though he knows the “numbers” suggest he take layups or 3s, he has worked on that craft since high school and is comfortable in the area.
The athletic forward is also drawing fouls at an impressive rate. He has already taken 73 free throws through 13 appearances — good for 21st in the entire league — and is converting a career-high 84 percent of those attempts.
In an NBA that is moving more toward “small-ball,” Hollis-Jefferson’s versatility is a big asset. At times, Brooklyn has unveiled a lineup that features the 6-foot-7, 220-pounder at center.
His overall progress is uplifting for a franchise fixated on the future. The long-term plan looks brighter with every Hollis-Jefferson highlight —and there has been a surplus.
Coach Kenny Atkinson is especially close with RHJ, and said he has been very pleased with his mental and physical growth.
“I think it’s basketball development. I think it’s emotional development. He’s maturing. He doesn’t get down on himself nearly as much when he makes a mistake,” Atkinson said. “He really focuses on next play mentality. He’s really improved in that area. So he’s growing before our eyes I think from a basketball standpoint and then from a personal standpoint.
“It’s great to see. I have a special place in my heart for Rondae for some reason. We have a good relationship.”
Asked whether he sees Atkinson as a father figure, Hollis-Jefferson responded with a laugh.
“He is like 82. He is pretty old, so he could be,” RHJ said.
Then the serious answer: “He’s definitely someone you can say is like a father figure. Older guy, smart, charismatic, cares a lot about you.”
Both the 50-year-old coach and his player seem to share one particularly encouraging trait.
“Even as a coach, he’s a competitor,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “He wants the best out of all his guys. That’s something that I see in me. I want to be great.”
That should be music to the ears of suffering Nets fans.