Jalen Wilson was excellent before the All-Star break, earning solid minutes under former head coach Jacque Vaughn . The former head honcho got dismissed, and assistant coach Kevin Ollie got promoted as interim head coach, but unfortunately for Wilson, he has not gotten regular minutes.
The 22-year-old rookie only played four minutes against the Raptors and didn’t get playing time against Minnesota. It was surprising, given Wilson’s skill set fits the ‘hunter’ play style that Coach Ollie wants to promote.
Wilson plays with the energy Brooklyn needs
When Ollie took over as the interim head coach, he wanted hunters on his team, meaning he preferred players who take the initiative with energy. He also discussed energy-generating behaviors (EGB), which fit Wilson’s non-stop hustle and energy.
Of course, the argument against Wilson not playing minutes is the Nets are all healthy. Cameron Johnson moved to the bench, which could cut into Wilson’s minutes. However, Ollie should integrate a rookie as a shooting guard or small forward.
Given Brooklyn’s issues with perimeter shooting, Jalen's 64.3% from beyond the arc over the last eight games could benefit the team in the long run. That mix of reliable shooting and unmatched motor could help the Nets win more games and build a case for making the Play-In Tournament.
Wilson deserves the minutes
Every time Wilson plays, he contributes to the Nets. He could just set picks and crash the boards, but he’s still making a positive impact. It is even better when people learn he’s just a rookie because he plays a more mature style of contributing to the little things to help stars like Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas.
When Ollie appreciates this kind of effort, he should give Wilson the minutes he deserves. The former Kansas Jayhawk is a decorated college player and has shown high-quality performances in his short cameos for the Nets.
With only Ben Simmons dealing with an injury for Brooklyn, some minutes could open up for Wilson. As he has shown in past cameos, he will do his best to contribute and leave a lasting impression on the coaching staff and teammates, which could benefit his role on the team in the long run.
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