With Brook Lopez Out, It’s Mason Plumlee’s Time to Shine
By Joseph Martinez
@JMartinezNBA
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Bad news for the Brooklyn Nets again as star center Brook Lopez suffered another foot injury. Good news is Mason Plumlee progressed last season in his rookie year. He won’t be asked too much considering Lopez is only out for up to two weeks, but he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself yet again.
Plumlee’s experience on Team USA will really help him going into this season. Plumlee proved last season with the absence of Lopez that he could contribute greatly for this team. He had very productive and meaningful minutes off the bench last season, but coach Lionel Hollins is expected to insert Plumlee into the starting lineup while Lopez is out instead of moving Kevin Garnett to the center position.
Plumlee is a very athletic, big player that brings a different dynamic than Lopez does. He gives the Nets someone with a lot of energy and with a lot of potential. He can run the floor, which Lopez can’t do, and Plumlee stays active. He doesn’t have quite the offensive game of Lopez but he is a lot more athletic than Lopez.
Obviously, when Lopez returns, Plumlee will return to his spot on the bench, but this is the perfect opportunity for him to earn a lot more trust from his new head coach and maybe an increase of minutes even once Lopez returns. Plumlee should have an early chance to use what he learned with Team USA as he continues to develop as a budding NBA star.
With the stacked roster and the timetable for Lopez’s injury only two weeks, he won’t be asked to do too much, but he’ll get those two weeks to show how much he’s improved his game. I wouldn’t be surprised if Plumlee is the starting center on opening night for the Nets as Brooklyn should be very cautious with Lopez.
Joseph Martinez is a Brooklyn Nets/NBA writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @BKN_Martinez08, find him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Whitesde Could Become Heat's Starting Center
The Miami Heat need to reevaluate their starting center position, and Hassan Whiteside is clearly the best option going forward. See why here. Read More
Examining Why Pistons Should Give Monroe Max Deal
Why must the Detroit Pistons offer Greg Monroe the max this offseason if they want to hang on to him? Find out here. Read More
Jackson Takes Blame For Knicks' Disastrous Season
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson is right to take blame for the team's disastrous season. Read More
Spencer Hawes Remains Clippers' X-Factor
Spencer Hawes has certainly disappointed so far in his short time with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he remains their X-factor in regards to their success the rest of the season, and in the playoffs. Read More
Time To Shake Up The Heat Roster
The latest Miami Heat dilemma centers around if Pat Riley’s next move will be the right move. Read More
Wizards Seraphin Shows His Solidarity for Paris 12
Political messages in sports can often backfire, but recent t-shirts worn by NBA players hit the right chords with fans, including Washington Wizards F Kevin Seraphin. Read More
Warriors Glad They Kept Klay Thompson
The Golden State Warriors seriously considered including Klay Thompson in a trade for Kevin Love this summer, but Thompson has shown that the Warriors made a wise decision. Read More
Lakers Should Sign Ed Davis Quickly
Ed Davis is showing the Los Angeles Lakers his worth. He's been a consistent player this season for Los Angeles. The Lakers should not let Davis hit free agency next season. Read More
Wizards, Wall Expose Bulls' Shortcomings
It's far from over for the Chicago Bulls, but Friday's undressing by the Washington Wizards prove the Bulls' frontcourt is severely lacking. Read More
Better Starts Will Help the Detroit Pistons
After going down by 23, the Detroit Pistons fought back and nearly completed an incredible comeback, but a stronger start would have won them the game -- an issue that needs to be fixed. Read More
5 Reasons Why Love Should Start All-Star Game
If you are looking for reasons why Kevin Love should be an NBA All-Star starter, then look no further than the weak Eastern Conference. Read More
5 Realistic 2015 NBA Trade Machine Deals
The NBA trade machine is always good for a couple hours of entertainment, but what are some moves that could actually happen? Read More