The Nets are the NBA’s worst team, but they also are one of the youngest — and what hope they have rests on that youth.
Yes, the Nets are struggling now, but things will get better, their young band of brothers promises. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Caris LeVert and Isaiah Whitehead all are 22 or younger, but their confidence, energy and athleticism make it believable.
“Yeah, just keep believing in us and we’ll keep believing in ourselves. Things will definitely get better soon,’’ Hollis-Jefferson said as the Nets prepared to host the Knicks on Wednesday at Barclays Center. “Things will definitely get better. Just keep staying after it, keep being patient.”
That trio is a plus-30 in 118 minutes on the floor together over a span of 19 games. Their plus-4.8 per 100 possessions is the best of any Nets combo over 150 minutes. In short, no Brooklyn trio has been better.
“When us three are out there, there’s definitely good chemistry. It’s just how we call each other brothers,’’ Hollis-Jefferson said. “It just flows well on the court, us spending that time off the court getting to know each other. If one of us messes up, we’re not getting down on each other. We’re just [saying], ‘It’s cool, brother, just keep playing.’ Then you’ll see the next couple plays, Caris will make a big play, Isaiah will make a big play, and we’re back in our saddle.
“Definitely [there’s chemistry], just going to dinner, hanging out, getting to know each other beyond basketball. I’ve known Isaiah since [I was] 13. I didn’t know Caris, but … him coming here, he lives two floors down, he used to sleep on my couch all the time. It’s a great relationship for us. We cherish those moments that we’re together.”
In the last nine games, the Nets are plus-31 with Hollis-Jefferson on the floor, but minus-109 with him off. LeVert sat out the season’s first 20 games rehabbing from foot surgery and averaged just 4.4 points in his first 14 appearances, but has emerged with 10.3 points per game in his past 12. And Whitehead has averaged 12 points in his past five games, with 19 total assists and just six turnovers.
They are best as a unit, an energetic whole better than the sum of its parts.
“Definitely we’ve had our young guys coming in and giving us great minutes in important spells, picking us up when we need energy,’’ Brook Lopez said. “When we need to be playing better we have our young guys coming in and giving us what we need.”
Whitehead is vying to overtake Spencer Dinwiddie at point guard, getting minutes with the first unit Monday in Miami.
“Yeah, he’s pushing. We threw him in there. Spencer was struggling there, and I felt like Isaiah was playing well,’’ coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I’m thrilled the way he’s attacking the basket.
“He’s playing with more confidence. I like his presence on the floor. He can be a leader. I see him out there talking to the guys. We threw him out there with the starters a bit. I like the way he attacks the basket with his size. He doesn’t back down.”
The Long Island Nets acquired forward Cliff Alexander from the Erie BayHawks for a third-round pick in the D-League draft.