Nets know Dzanan Musa’s itching to take next step
LAS VEGAS — Those around Dzanan Musa say the young wing was champing at the bit all last season in the G-League, looking at Brooklyn from afar and convinced he should be in the NBA.
The Nets see that as a good thing.
“As coaches, you’re always excited for a guy to be super-competitive. They want to be a part of it, they want to be there, they feel like they can help,” assistant coach Adam Harrington said. “But at the same time, buying into the development, buying into that opportunity really helped him. During the season, he was excited to be down there and lead it.
“We love to have him come back, and he was able to work with us, able to be around us, be around our culture, be around our bench. It’s an exciting opportunity for him. We love the fact that he believes he will be there and wants to be there. It was a testament to Kenny [Atkinson, coach] and Sean [Marks, general manager] and the whole organization to sell it that this is player development and there will be an opportunity.”
Some within the Nets admit it took a little selling. Musa poured in 19.5 points and 6.4 boards in the G-League to lead Long Island to the final, but he played just 39 minutes for Brooklyn and was aching to be in the NBA. Watching the excitement of adding Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan has just added to that.
“He looks at the roster and he wants to be a part of it,” Harrington said. “As soon as the season was over he took a quick break. But he’s been in the gym the whole time, and been working with all of our coaching staff, all of our performance [team]. So I think it’s real exciting for him to get an opportunity.… He had such a great year in the G-League last year, and now he’s out here trying [to impress].”
Still the youngest player on the Nets’ summer league roster at just 20, Musa had the highest plus-minus (plus-7) on the team in Friday’s opener. Though he shot just 4-of-13, he did add 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. He also showed improved physicality. Musa, who weighed in at 195 pounds last season, has bulked up to 213.
“He’s taken a big leap,” Harrington said. “He’s one you can throw in being a young guy with his body and getting better and being able to withstand the physicality of that 2, 3 position night-in and night-out. He did a great job, and we’re excited to see him play the next couple weeks.”
https://nypost.com/2019/07/07/nets-know ... next-step/
