Brown won’t stay stuck on bench

Bruce Brown emerged as a Swiss Army knife for the Nets last season, manning multiple positions and becoming a key role player under first-year coach Steve Nash.

After averaging 8.8 points and 5.4 rebounds over 65 appearances (37 starts) in 2020-21, Brown found himself out of Brooklyn’s rotation in Tuesday’s season opener in Milwaukee until playing out the final four minutes of a 127-104 defeat.

“For sure, Bruce is going to play for us this year,” Nash said after Thursday’s practice in Brooklyn. “Bruce is going to have to be patient. But we know what Bruce brings to the team.

We know that if we need competitiveness and combativeness and energy, we know we’ve got it in Bruce.

“So he’s definitely going to play for us, he’s definitely going to be a part of what we do. I just think right now we’re looking at exploring some other things until we understand what we have. With Bruce, I know what we got. We got a great competitor, who can guard and stick his nose in there against different size matchups. I think he’s a great roller in the pick-and-roll. We know what he brings, and he’ll be a big part of this team.”

Nash went with a second unit in the opener featuring veteran forwards LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap and James Johnson and guards Patty Mills and Jevon Carter.

➤ Nash, a two-time league MVP, on being one of 75 players named to the NBA’s 75th anniversary team: “It’s great. I always kind of undersell these things, sweep them aside. But if I take a minute, it’s an incredible group of people to be a part of and the accomplishment is pretty incredible when you look back to the beginning. I’m very proud and grateful.”

Current Nets stars Kevin Durant and James Harden also have been named to the squad.

“It honestly probably struck me more that they are on there, makes me feel proud for them and proud to coach them,” Nash added.

➤ One game after having to deal with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo inside, center Nic Claxton and the Nets will face Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid on Friday.

“He represents a challenge for the whole league. He’s, in my eyes, probably the best big in the league,” Claxton said. “You’ve got to be physical. You’ve got to hit him first. Just got to be ready for the challenge, all five guys on the court. It’s not one man’s job. It’s going to take the whole team.”