Joe Harris
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As the preseason approaches, the Brooklyn Nets are paying close attention to Joe Harris’ workload after his summer on Team USA.

With media day in the rearview, the Brooklyn Nets are gearing up to start the 2019-20 campaign. Right now, special attention is being given to Brooklyn’s sharpshooter and fan-favorite Joe Harris. The focus being his workload as the Nets enter training camp and the preseason.

Although all players hoop and work out during the offseason, Harris’ summer was a bit different from any of his teammates. Harris was a member of Team USA for the FIBA World Cup. Although Team USA finished in a disappointing seventh place, Harris played fairly well for the club. He averaged 8.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from three-point range.

With all those extra games, the Nets are taking proactive steps to monitor his workload.

“In regards to the workload we have to be very careful with a guy like that, who has carried a big load for the last two or three months,” general manager Sean Marks said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

And while Harris understands the cause for caution, in terms of his workload, he did share his thoughts on the experience.

“I looked at it as the best sort of offseason program that I could have. Obviously, there’s a lot of travel, and you’re away from your home for a while,” Harris said.

The Nets had planned Harris’ recovery before he even left for China. Brooklyn sent a rep to China to monitor him to accurately create a plan upon his return. Harris is coming off of his best season as a professional. He led the league in three-point percentage at 47.4% and won the three-point contest during All-Star weekend. Another point of note is that of all returning Nets players, Harris is tops in minutes.

The former Cleveland Cavalier, Harris has found his place in the league with the Nets. Even during his time in Cleveland, then teammate Kyrie Irving knew he was going to be a special player. “I knew Joe was going to be special enough to be a great piece for a team right when I saw him,” Irving said at media day on Friday.

With all the new pieces on the Nets, Harris should see more opportunities to show that last season wasn’t a fluke. And best believe come playoff time he’ll be looking to avenge his poor shooting performances last year against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Justin Thomas is a graduate of Temple University. While there, he was an on-air sports talk host for W.H.I.P as well as sports reporter for the Temple yearbook. Over the past few years, Justin has written for a few publications including Sports Illustrated. On top of writing for ESNY, Justin is also a Senior Writer for NetsRepublic.com and has had work featured on Bleacher Report.