Though this is just his second year in the NBA, Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen is showing a lot of promise. To further his progression in the league, the former first-round pick is taking a few pointers from his teammate, Ed Davis.

“That’s why you have Ed Davis around,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “He’s coaching when you’re not coaching. Great influence on our young guys.

“I’ve seen Ed take him aside after practice, before practice, talking post defense. These [vets], they have the nuances. They understand the game. He’s been a great influence not only on Jarrett Allen but our whole group.

“He’s just a solid, solid professional and the type of guy we like to bring in here,’’ Atkinson added. “We want to help him grow obviously first and foremost, but he’s helping our young guys grow, too.”

Davis, who signed a one-year, $4.4 million deal with the Nets over the summer, says he is perfectly fine with serving as Allen's mentor. He just wants to help Brooklyn win games any way he can.

“When I signed here, Sean didn’t say, ‘We want you to mentor Jarret Allen,’ ’’ Davis said. “But I’m an intelligent guy, and I think Sean knew that by doing his diligence and his homework and whatnot. I wasn’t going to come in here like, ‘Oh, [crap], I’m trying to start, I’m trying I take his minutes.’

“I’m trying to win, and I’m trying to help him, because of the direction this franchise is headed.”

Jarrett Allen has been playing well as of late. In his 17 appearances with the Nets this season, the former Texas Longhorn has racked up averages of 12.2 points on 58.0 percent shooting from the field, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 27.0 minutes per outing.

Coach Atkinson credits Allen's improved rebounding to offseason strength work and the time he has spent with Ed Davis.

“The weight room is part of it,’’ Atkinson said, referring to Allen's improved level of play. “It’s his natural maturing, his maturation, that’s part of it. But it’s also … Ed Davis’ influence.

“He told me [Wednesday], ‘I see Ed getting all those offensive rebounds.’ He goes, ‘Why don’t I go do the same thing?’

“He’s learning some tricks from Ed,” Atkinson added. “That’s why it’s nice having those veteran guys around. [Allen’s] offensive rebounding, his rebounding overall has improved. It’s been a big factor, and obviously he keeps protecting the rim for us.”

The Nets (8-11 and fourth in the Atlantic Division standings) will be back in action Friday afternoon, as they're scheduled to host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 12:00 p.m. EST.