Brooklyn Nets: Taurean Prince will be the x-factor this season
By Alan Mena
Impact on the defensive end
Taurean Prince is a 3-and-D combo forward player who even possesses the versatility to shift to the shooting guard position if needed. Additionally, Prince is 6-8, 220 pounds, yet owns a seven-foot wingspan. He is a capable size to cover the leagues’ premiere stars.
If Prince continues to improve his timing and activity in the passing lanes, the Brooklyn Nets will overachieve again in 2019-20. They are one of the most underrated teams on the defensive end.
Although Prince’s defensive numbers are not astonishing, he is only twenty-five years old and is entering his fourth NBA season. Now he’s on a team that has been built to contend for championships upon KD’s return.
Off-the-ball mobility
Last season, Taurean Prince was in the 89th percentile for “spot up” plays, instantly making him a viable threat on this retooled Nets roster. Trae Young was the main beneficiary in these kinds of plays, allotting 63 total assists from Prince’s keen ability to convert a spot-up jumper or score in the paint.
Alongside his ability to be a deadly spot-up shooter, Prince is capable of playmaking in pick-and-rolls, driving to the basket. His teammates and coaches know he’ll be at the right place at the right time during any situation on the court.
The Atlanta Hawks had the quickest pace (106.4) in the NBA last season. In comparison, the Nets finished in tenth (103.4) in pace. Prince can now be a contributor to the Brooklyn Nets impending increase in total possessions, due to his ability to move without the ball, facilitate pick-and-rolls, and spread the floor.