In a regular season, as the playoffs approach, Jacque Vaughn typically increases the playing time of his starters.
However, this season has been far from normal for the Brooklyn Nets, who have relied heavily on their starters and sixth man, Royce O’Neale, in recent weeks.
Vaughn has acknowledged that the approach is necessary as he works to create a lineup with four new starters following the trade deadline.
Mikal Bridges played 40 minutes and 58 seconds in Sunday’s win against the Hornets, while Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Yuta Watanabe, and Cam Thomas have seen limited court time, except in blowouts.
Thomas, who had three consecutive 40-point games before the trade deadline, has only played for 13 minutes and 47 seconds in the last two games, while Watanabe has disappeared from the rotation altogether.
However, Bridges has no issues with playing many minutes, saying he wants to help the team win.
Cameron Johnson has started to settle into a rhythm for the Nets, topping 20 points in three of his last five games, including a double-double against the Hornets.
Johnson has shown his ability to handle the basketball, play pick-and-roll, and shoot off the bounce in transition, which Vaughn has praised.
The Nets have ruled Ben Simmons out of Tuesday’s game against the Rockets, but Edmond Sumner and Nerlens Noel should be available after missing time for personal reasons.
»Jacque Vaughn increases the playing time of his starters«
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