« My shot. Just my shot, really. And then of course maintaining my floater and other stuff. But the focus was on my shooting. This is what Bruce Brown replied when asked, late Augustsomething he had been working on in the previous weeks.
The back of the Nets had a good reason to focus on this aspect of his game. Already because last season, he shot a modest 29% from 3-pointers, after a year at 34% at the Pistons . And especially because he did not appreciate the treatment he received in the playoffs.
Especially during the series against the Bucks. ” They left me open, I took that as a lack of respect. When I was younger, I was a striker. Now in the league, I see it as disrespect, that’s for sure », today shows the 25-year-old player.
Mike Budenholzer had actually decided on an unusual defense against Bruce Brown on this series by sending most of the time his pivot, Brook Lopez, on him. A choice that can be understood when you know that the rear, first known for his “slasher” qualities, had only turned 18% success by far in these playoffs.
Not satisfied with its impact
What had not prevented him from going out a good production with 16 points and 11 rebounds during the third confrontation of the series for example. Mainly served on cuts to the circle, or at the exit of a pick-and-roll, he had scored the majority of his points near the circle and, in this series ended after seven matches, only tried his luck nine times behind the 3-point line.
« They put Brook Lopez on me, I played a role but not as much as I wanted. I hope they will (again). […] I can’t wait to be there, because we all know what happened the last time we played them “, notes the 42nd choice of the Draft 2018, whose formation had been released at the end of Game 7.
His impatience was linked to the coming of the Bucks last night. This time, it was almost not defended by Brook Lopez, due to the presence of Andre Drummond in the racket of the Nets. Brook Lopez or not, Bruce Brown benefited from good positions in the corners. Confident in his shot, he shot 3/5 from long range and scored 23 points overall, his best outing of the season.
Proof that hard work pays off because this season he has posted a much better 38% success rate behind the arc, keeping a fairly low volume of shots. His distant address thus contributes to his very good form at the moment with 15 points and 5.5 rebounds on average since the All-Star Break.
