The Nets this season is really bumpy, Irving can not play without vaccination, Griffin and Brown's state of inexplicable decline, Harden is also trapped by hamstring injuries, fortunately, the signing of Mills and Ade are extremely efficient, so that the Nets still maintain the first record in the East, the team originally hoped that the traded Carter could make up for the gap in the bench guard line, but found that he completely failed to meet the team's requirements, which gave this year's rookie Thomas the opportunity, he averaged 21 minutes in the last 12 games, Contributed 8.5 points and 2.6 boards, fully into the rotation lineup.
Thomas is selected by the Nets with the first round of 27 picks this year, although he is only 20 years old, but the offensive skills are very rich, especially good at holding the ball to complete the end, his characteristics of playing are somewhat similar to Irving, are mainly based on scoring, and to a certain extent to make up for the gap caused by Irving's absence, but from the recent rumors, Irving's intention to return is getting stronger and stronger, as one of the top players in the league, as long as Irving returns, the Nets' offense will be upgraded N grades, At that time, the Nets needed more defense and space, both of which Thomas did not have, and he was likely to lose his current position.
There is another rookie in the Nets team who is very much in line with the needs of the Nets, this player is Edwards, nicknamed "Huazi" by Nets fans, 21 years old, selected with the 14th pick in the second round, and the Nets signed a two-way contract, he is 2 meters 03 tall, the arm span reaches 2 meters 13, just look at these two data, is the most popular front size in the small ball era, and he not only has a standard body, technical characteristics also fully match the standard of the 3D wing, the template is Covington.
Edwards University averaged 17.2 points per game, 6.8 boards, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, shooting 49.1%, three-point shooting rate of 37.8%, his fixed point and mobile catch shots are excellent, shooting quickly, good at running without the ball, can change multiple positions, not afraid of confrontation, has a certain ability to protect the frame, as for his lack of explosiveness, general physical fitness, poor dribbling These deficiencies are not important in the championship team.
This season in the Nets manpower, Edwards did not get too many opportunities to perform, in the game against the Raptors, because the team is really unusable, Edwards finally entered the rotation lineup, or do not play, this fight out of 44 minutes, the whole team is second only to Durant, his performance did not disappoint the team at all, even far beyond expectations, 12 shots 7 of the game, 6 of 3 three-pointers, efficiently got 17 points, 10 boards, 2 assists and 2 breaks, including 4 frontcourt rebounds, plus or minus + 10 is also second only to Durant, who performs almost exactly the same as the scouting report writes (have to admire the ability of the NBA staff).
Although there is only one highlight sample of Edwards at present, from his sense of position on the court, his ability to move and the posture of the shot, he is still well adapted to the rhythm of the NBA, hoping that after this game, Nash can really put him into the rotation lineup, even if his performance will fluctuate later, it will definitely be a surprise for the team, and even become a team championship puzzle, if you can really cultivate into your own "Covington", then the Nets will make a lot of money.