The Rise Of Mason Plumlee

[jonathanlambert33]

Since 2014, the Nets have been one of the best teams in basketball; there is no denying that. Many credited the Nets incredible run over the past nearly three months to the resurgent Kevin Garnett. Although, since Garnett went down with a back injury that has kept him out 14 games, the Nets have proven that it is not just KG for their revival; it is their rookie center. If the draft was redone today, Mason Plumlee will be a top 10 pick, maybe even a top five.

Since March 1, Plumlee has a defensive rating of 100.5 and a net rating of 6.3. Plumlee is showing a lot of Garnett's game in himself over this past stretch. Plumlee credited Garnett for helping him develop. "He (Garnett) is spending a lot of time with me," Plumlee said. "At shootaround he'll take me through who I'm guarding. He's really helpful."

Plumlee has done an incredible job of protecting the paint since the beginning of March and has made it easy for the Nets to keep Garnett out for an extended period of time and make sure the former champion is fully healthy for the postseason.

Plumlee was drafted 22 after four years at Duke. He learned a lot under head coach Mike Krzyzewski and has developed a sound basketball IQ. Check out this play below where Plumlee reads the Bulls' offense and gets into the passing lanes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXqYwk5x0P0&feature=player_embedded

Plumlee is aware that Joakim Noah is an integral part of the Bulls' offense and that Chicago will try to get him the ball as much as possible. Plumlee stays off Noah because of his lack of a perimeter game, and if the Bulls are to get into the paint, it is up to Plumlee to stop the Bull from scoring. With the ball in Jimmy Butler's hands, Plumlee jumps out on Noah, taking away the pass to the former Gator. The Bulls now have to try and get a screen for Mike Dunleavy Jr. out of the corner, which is much less efficient offense compared to having the ball in Noah's hand in the middle of the floor. Noah eventually gets the ball in the middle of the paint, but Plumlee anticipates his look to Boozer and gets his hand on it. It hits off of Boozer and the Nets obtain possession.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz67nQdolSg&feature=player_embedded

Plumlee has done a great job in one-on-one sets. Many weren't sure if he can defend NBA bigs when he was drafted, but he debunked that thought quickly. In the play above, Anthony Davis can't get position on Plumlee in the post and gets forced out to a little outside of the elbow. With not much time remaining on the shot clock and his back to the basket, Davis has to try and face up Plumlee. However, Plumlee stays square and in front of the Brow, leaving him to take a somewhat contested fadeaway. Plumlee has been very efficient at defending players in a post-up this season. His opposition has scored on only 36% of their post-ups this season.

http://www.netsdaily.com/2014/3/27/5552144/film-study-mason-plumlee-has-made-Nets-great

 

[jonathanlambert33]