Mikel Brown Jr. ☆ Follow

Starts 0 of 2 games · 7th on BKN in minutes · Rotation role

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• X Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) · Report · 16 h ago

  As expected, Mikel Brown Jr. is out for tonight’s back-to-back vs. the Pacers. His status on the injury report says back injury management. Tyler Bilodeau remains out with his right shoulder sprain.

  original post ↗

  also reported by Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA)

• ESPN ESPN · Report · 19 h ago

  Head coach Jordi Fernandez said Brown (rest) will be held out of Sunday's game against the Pacers, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

  source ↗

• Podcast Locked On Nets · 16 points · 29 h ago
  • The Nets made nine threes in the fourth quarter. The run was started by Mikel Brown Jr and Egor Demin. Brown hit back-to-back step-back threes, and Demin later hit three straight. at 2:49
  • Mikel Brown Jr is on a minutes restriction as he comes back from an ankle injury and a back injury he had last season at Louisville. He is not in the starting lineup. at 13:58
  • Mikel Brown Jr and Egor Demin did not play together in the preseason finale (Brown's debut), in the opener, or in the first three and a half quarters of this game. Fernandez then paired them in the fourth. at 14:11
  • Mikel Brown Jr had 8 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 turnovers on 3-of-10 shooting (2-of-6 from three), with no free throws. The host says he looked out of rhythm early. at 14:31
  • Host describes Mikel Brown Jr's uneven minutes: he entered with about five minutes left in the first, played little in the second, and returned in the third with about five minutes left. The host thinks this makes it hard to find a rhythm. at 15:16
  • Jordi Fernandez (reported): Asked Friday why Brown and Demin weren't playing together, Fernandez, as paraphrased by the host, said it's hard to share minutes when one player comes off the bench and the other starts without throwing off rhythms. at 17:16
  • Jordi Fernandez (reported): Per the host, Fernandez has said Brown's minutes limit must rise before he starts, because he wants the option to close with his starters. Fernandez put the threshold at roughly 24 minutes. at 17:50
  • Host estimates Brown's minutes limit is around 20 right now. at 18:04
  • Host's background for the cautious approach: Brown played only 19 games last season because of a back injury, then missed most of training camp and the preseason with an ankle injury. at 18:15
  • Host's view: start Brown next to Demin even if that means he can't close games. at 18:45
  • Jordi Fernandez (reported): At Friday's practice, Fernandez said Brown would not be off his minutes restriction anytime soon. at 20:46
  • Counting the preseason finale, Brown has 11 assists and 4 turnovers in his first three appearances, which the host likes given his turnover problems at Louisville. at 24:16
  • Jordi Fernandez (reported): Per the host, Fernandez has told Brown and other young guards not to fly into the paint and jump at big men. He wants them to attack with a plan, play with more pace and finish off two feet. The host says Brown can improve here. at 24:53
  • Late in the game, Brown appeared to be at the center of some defensive miscommunications. at 25:57
  • Host says Brown will not play in the second game of the back-to-back against the Pacers. No source or reason is given beyond the back-to-back. at 33:52
  • Host suggests the bench role for Brown may not last long, since Fernandez already paired him with Demin late in only the second game. at 20:23

  “Brooklyn Nets' WILD Comeback vs. Cavs Falls Short | Where MPJ, Randle MUST Step Up + Mikel’s Odd Role” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Cavs · Analysis · Oct 24 around the league

  Slater calls Mikel Brown Jr. very dynamic: he gets downhill, has logo shooting range and can finish above the rim. Slater recalls about 15 or 16 points in 18 minutes in his preseason debut but isn't sure of the exact line.

  “Previewing the Cleveland Cavaliers Home Opener Against the Brooklyn Nets with Erik Slater” at 15:33 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Mismatch host · Opinion · Oct 23 name not confirmed around the league

  Host opinion: the Nets should develop their young players instead of trying to win games with veterans. They drafted five players, including Mikel Brown, whose role may overlap with Egor Demin since both need the ball.

  “The Return of Loves and Loathes. Plus: A Historic Thursday Night.” at 52:53 · listen ↗

• RotoWire RotoWire · Report · Oct 23

  Mikel Brown: Restrictions will continue — Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said Brown will continue to have restrictions going forward, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

  source ↗

• X Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) · Report · 35 h ago

  #Nets coach Jordi Fernandez confirmed that Mikel Brown Jr. will be held out of the tail end of the back to back tomorrow vs the #Pacers, regardless of how many minutes he logs tonight in Cleveland. #nba #Cavs

  original post ↗

• X Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) · Report · 44 h ago

  Why Nets rookie Mikel Brown Jr.’s minutes restriction won’t change ‘anytime soon’

  original post ↗

  also reported by Locked On Cavs host, Locked On Nets host, Nets / Jordi Fernandez at practice (reported), via Locked On Nets, Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis)

• Podcast Locked On Nets · 9 points · Oct 23
  • Mikel Brown Jr is on a minutes restriction. The speaker thinks he will play a more significant role once he comes off it. at 5:24
  • A host or guest thinks pairing Mikel Brown Jr. with Egor Demin will help Demin a good amount. at 5:28
  • Erik Slater: Slater predicts Mikel Brown Jr makes first-team All-Rookie and can be a top-five rookie this season. at 14:46
  • Erik Slater: Mikel Brown Jr. had 6 points on 2-of-8 shooting last night. These were his first two games since summer league (his preseason debut plus the opener), and he is still working his way back. at 14:59
  • Lewis says Mikel Brown Jr. has played reasonably under control and hasn't gotten outside himself. Lewis would count a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio at season's end as a success. at 16:07
  • Turnovers were the biggest concern with Mikel Brown Jr. Wild passes have been fleeting so far after being frequent at Louisville. Examples: a behind-the-back pass to Randle for a three, and one wild airborne pass that went into the second row. at 16:26
  • Lewis describes Mikel Brown Jr. as smallish and slightly built, with deep range and downhill burst. He gets to the rim but will have to adjust to NBA physicality and size there. at 17:22
  • In the game, Mikel Brown Jr. tried to dunk on a seven-footer believed to be Nas Reed and came close. at 17:48
  • Erik Slater: Slater names Ben Saraf and Drake Powell as the most likely to be cut, more so Saraf. Saraf sits behind point guards Egor Demin, Mikel Brown Jr. and Nolan Traore. Slater counts Demin as half a point guard, more of a two. at 20:50

  “BOLD Brooklyn Nets Predictions: Julius Randle An All-Star? An MPJ Trade? Mikel Brown Jr.'s Outlook?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Nets · 8 points · Oct 23
  • Lewis predicted the assist-to-turnover problem will improve once Mikel Brown Jr. eventually joins the starting lineup and brings downhill drives, so Egor Demin handles the ball less. This implies Brown is not starting now. at 7:24
  • Erik Slater: Egor Demin, Keon Ellis and Mikel Brown Jr. went a combined 2 of 11 from three. The host trusts these three most as shooters after the top players. at 8:58
  • Erik Slater: The host said the Nets switched too easily. For example, they switched Mikel Brown Jr. onto Nas Reed (opposing player) on a simple cut. That led to a post entry, a double team and a scramble. He wants them to play more straight up. at 22:43
  • Erik Slater: The host called defense his number-one worry. His reasons: no rim protection, a young Brown/Demin backcourt, and forwards Porter and Randle who aren't known for defense. at 23:19
  • Erik Slater: The host said the backcourt is young and inexperienced. A Keon Ellis/Egor Demin backcourt lacks rim pressure, and he wants Mikel Brown Jr. out there alongside Demin. at 24:30
  • Egor Demin (reported): The host assumes Mikel Brown Jr. hasn't played alongside Demin yet. When asked on Friday, Demin told him they hadn't practiced much together. The host questions why they didn't share minutes in practice or in the opener. at 24:46
  • Jordi Fernandez (reported): Lewis said that when he asked Fernandez how far a minutes limit must be relaxed before he would start Mikel or another player, Fernandez essentially said 24 minutes. at 25:50
  • Lewis said Mikel Brown Jr. played (he thinks) 18 minutes in his preseason debut and essentially 20 in the opener. Lewis wants 24-26 minutes to come quickly, even if the team handles him with kid gloves. at 26:05

  “ANALYST: How CONCERNING Was Brooklyn Nets' Seaon-Opening STINKER? Are Team's Issues Fixable?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Nets · 6 points · Oct 22
  • The host said the Nets are bringing Mikel Brown Jr along slowly because he is coming off ankle and back injuries. Adam noted Brown did not play much in the preseason because of injury recovery. at 18:34
  • Mikel Brown Jr debut line: just under 20 minutes, 6 points, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 2-of-8 from the field and 1-of-3 from three. The host first said 'three rebound' and then corrected himself to three assists. at 22:29
  • Mikel Brown Jr highlights: an and-one layup off a pick-and-roll for his first bucket, a downhill attempt at a poster dunk, and a wraparound assist to Randle. The host also said he got sped up at times, with a bad turnover and questionable shots. at 26:18
  • The host predicts Mikel Brown Jr will join the starting lineup alongside Demin, likely replacing Keon Ellis. He said it is 'not a matter of if' but when. at 14:28
  • The host expects Mikel Brown Jr's path to resemble Demin's last season, when Demin came off the bench for roughly the first seven games, about a couple of weeks. The host noted Brown played 19 college games last year. at 29:45
  • Open question for the season: how to balance ball touches between the young guards Mikel Brown Jr, which helps their development, and Porter Jr. and Randle, which helps the team compete. name not confirmed at 32:00

  “LETDOWN: Brooklyn Nets Are OUTWORKED By Charlotte Hornets In Season-Opening LOSS | What Went WRONG?” · listen ↗

• X Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) · Report · Oct 21

  Mikel Brown Jr. just tried to throw down a poster dunk over Naz Reid. One thing's for sure: he's not scared out there.

  original post ↗

• Podcast Locked On Nets host · Analysis · Oct 21

  Mikel Brown Jr as another ball handler, the host expects Clowney to have the ball less and play as a spot-up shooter: hitting open shots, attacking closeouts with straight-line drives and making quick decisions.

  “PROVE IT: Brooklyn Nets Choose Not To EXTEND Noah Clowney Before Deadline | How Can He Earn New Deal?” at 9:03 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Nets · 12 points · Oct 20
  • Jordi Fernandez (quoted): Fernandez said they are "not there yet" with Brown and that he needs to build up the right way. Bringing him off the bench while he builds up still gives Fernandez the option to finish games with him. at 3:21
  • Jordi Fernandez (quoted): Asked by the host whether Brown will still be on the minutes restriction on opening night, Fernandez said "For sure." He called Brown's health the number one priority and said medical and performance staff guide the buildup, while lineup combinations are up to him. at 3:48
  • Jordi Fernandez (quoted): The host asked whether the restriction is because of the ankle, overall conditioning or the back injury. He relays Fernandez's answer: the reason is that a player needs a proper buildup or he can get hurt. at 5:22
  • Erik Slater: Brown sprained his ankle the week before training camp. He missed the start of camp and the Nets' first three preseason games, then returned off the bench in the preseason finale against the Heat. The host says he looked really good in that game. at 2:15
  • Erik Slater: The host's own guess, not a reported diagnosis: because Brown played in the preseason finale, the ankle sprain was "probably" grade one. at 5:04
  • Erik Slater: The host says Brown played only 19 games as a freshman at Louisville and is coming off a back injury. The host thinks the back injury is the more notable one. at 5:56
  • Erik Slater: Host prediction: the minutes restriction will probably last about the first couple of weeks of the season, after which Brown becomes a starter. He does not rule out a one- or two-game stint but does not expect it. at 7:53
  • Erik Slater: The host offers a precedent: Egor Demin had a plantar fascia tear as a rookie. He played in the final preseason game, came off the bench for his first seven appearances, then started for the rest of the year. The host expects Brown to follow a similar path. at 7:08
  • Erik Slater: The host's opinion: Brown should be a starter and will be one. at 8:11
  • Erik Slater: Host projection: Brown will play under 24 minutes a game, probably around 20. The host thinks he played 18 minutes in the preseason finale. at 12:20
  • Erik Slater: In the preseason finale, Brown played only with the second unit, alongside Nolan Traore. He played no minutes alongside Egor Demin. at 12:42
  • Egor Demin (reported): Asked by the host at Monday practice, Egor Demin said he has "not really" played alongside Brown in camp, practices or scrimmages. Because Brown was coming back from the ankle injury, coaches worked the lineups that would play together in the preseason game, including the starting group with Demin and Keon Ellis. Demin hopes to play with Brown more in practice. Their summer runs together were open runs, not official practices. at 13:05

  “INTEL: Brooklyn Nets' Mikel Brown Jr. To Come Off Bench While On Minutes Limit | When Will Rookie Start?” · listen ↗

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