Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson doesn't see any problem having two starting-caliber centers in DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen.
The arrival of Jordan in the offseason brought an immediate conflict for the Nets, especially considering the development of Allen. However, Atkinson has a plan in using the two and taking advantage of the dynamic between experience and youth.
Kenny Atkinson said he doesn’t view Allen vs. Jordan as a battle for center. Says the #Nets have two starting caliber centers, and he has no problem going night to night based on matchups, or going with the hot hand within a game.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) October 18, 2019
The 21-year-old Allen has started 111 games in 152 total appearances for Brooklyn. He averaged 10.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game during the 2018-19 season.
Jordan, meanwhile, joined the Nets as a free agent with the hope of playing alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
While Durant could miss the entire season recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered during the 2019 NBA Finals, Jordan could conceivably play a ton of minutes sharing the court with Irving. However, in recent memory, Allen has been a qualified starting center.
Apparently, Atkinson plans to leverage both Allen and Jordan according to matchups, rotating them in and out at the five spot depending on the matchup.
Jordan had a relatively down season last year, being dealt from the Dallas Mavericks to the New York Knicks in January as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade. He averaged 11.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, but he is now considered a liability on defense.
Follow Us
Subscribe