In just four games, Brooklyn Nets point guard Yogi Ferrell is making a strong case to remain in Kenny Atkinson’s rotation.
The injuries to Jeremy Lin and Greivis Vasquez are the best things that could’ve happened to Ferrell. Because of them getting hurt, the Nets plucked Ferrell from Long Island and brought him back to Brooklyn.Sean Kilpatrick and Isaiah Whitehead were splitting time at the one. Then, in Murphy’s Law fashion, Whitehead got hurt. Brooklyn was quickly left with no real point guard on their roster, and Atkinson looked at the former Indiana Hoosier who got cut before the season’s start.
Ferrell has seen action in Brooklyn’s last four games, and these weren’t garbage time minutes, either. His most recent showings against the Clippers and Lakers were promising, despite the Nets dropping both contests.
Versus the Clips, he tallied 13 points and five assists in 25 minutes. The following night against the Lakers, he had 11 points and four assists.
Ferrell’s been sharp from downtown, as he was at Indiana. He’s buried 45.5 percent of his triples, placing him fifth among rookies who are averaging at least ten minutes a game. Overall, he’s knocked in 50 percent of his shots.
Atkinson has been able to go to him on offense because he’s hitting shots, but also because he’s a legitimate floor general. He doesn’t command the court the same way that Lin does, but Ferrell’s a guy who can make the easy play consistently, and you can’t ask for more from a rookie point guard.
He also limits turnovers, for the most part, which is huge.
Ferrell’s most glaring deficiency is on defense. He isn’t alone, however. Brooklyn is atrocious defensively, and they’ve had issues keeping their opponents point totals under 100.
To make up for that weakness, Ferrell must be a hustle guy — the kind of player who dives for loose balls, pressures ball handlers, etc. That doesn’t seem like a stretch, and Atkinson has made guys play harder and raise their effort levels.