TORONTO — D'Angelo Russell is back for an encore in Brooklyn.
With Russell on the floor, the Nets' speed will be different.
Different style.
Maybe the starter is different.
They will be completely different.
Brooklyn will be without the toughness and defense of Dorian Finney-Smith.
But they lacked playmaking, pick-and-roll threat and execution at the end of games.
Russell, acquired along with Max Lewis on Sunday and joining Toronto's team before Wednesday's tilt, will provide some of that.
How much that will benefit the Nets in the long run is another discussion.
“Yeah, [Russell’s] We see a lot of that in this league. He's won in so many different types of environments,” said Cam Johnson. “He’s a really talented player, a talented scorer and a talented leader in that sense, so that’s going to be a big thing for us.
“He's a player who can control the game, who can pass, who can score. And I think he's going to be a good voice for us. So I'm looking forward to working with him to start solving this problem. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Nets have a lot to understand.
Since trading Dennis Schroder, the Nets have lacked a pick-and-roll threat and a player who can break down defenders off the dribble.
They rely too much on fast breaks behind Ben Simmons, Russell's two-year teammate at Montverde Academy, where they went 45-2 and won back-to-back national titles.
Going forward, they will bring a different skill set and make the offense more complete.
“Yeah, we could definitely definitely use him,” Giare Williams said. “He’s good on the ball, he can shoot, he can make plays, and that’s what we need.
“You want a guy who can pressure the rim, make two-on-ones, play three-on-fours on the backside, and he’s really good at that when he’s confident with the ball in his hands. So I'm looking forward to seeing him and definitely winning some games. We can definitely use him.”
But how will coach Jordi Fernandes plan to use him?
Simmons primarily served as Schröder's backup, but became a starter after the German was selected.
Will Russell's arrival mean Simmons returning to the bench?
Both players are motivated as their contracts are expiring and they need to perform before becoming unrestricted free agents this summer.
“Relationships are important,” Fernandez said. “It's good that these two know each other. They played together. I'm sure they'll share some good memories. And we'll go from there.”
Even without a three-guard lineup, there will be 96 minutes of backcourt time each night.
It would be easy enough for Fernandez to line up Russell and Simmons, especially since Cam Thomas is a two-guard and Simmons could absorb some of the frontcourt time vacated by Finney Smith's departure.
Even though reserve guard Shake Milton was replaced by Finney Smith, guard Keon Johnson still saw his playing time decrease.
He started the last 11 games and averaged 26.4 minutes over the past 15 games, but shot just 26.4 percent from deep over that span.
Of course, it bears repeating that the Nets are out of sorts and struggle mightily behind Schroder whenever Simmons is off the court.
Russell, 28, comes in handy in moments like that. Helping those who support tanks may find it counterproductive.
“I’m very excited to coach.” [Russell and Lewis]'' Fernandez said. “I've heard great things, so I'm trying to use film to help them understand it…simplify the playbook and the rules and everything else so they can learn it before we see it.
“So we'll see if they play, but at least they're starting to learn our system and we'll just go from there.”
Russell spent 2017-2019 in Brooklyn, earning his only All-Star berth.
This season, he is averaging 12.4 points and 4.7 assists despite starting on the bench in 19 of the past 21 games.
“We know what type of player he is: a primary ball-handler, a very good shooter, a player who will be important for us. A good pick-and-roll player, a pick-up He’s a great playmaker from Androll,” Fernandes said. “So I'm very excited to coach him. And I think he's going to help this team because he gives us another dimension with his ability to handle and organize players. .”
