The Brooklyn Nets agreed to a buyout with former franchise player Deron Williams this offseason in hopes that it would make for addition by subtraction. Williams was reportedly a nightmare in the locker room and didn't have a good relationship with teammates, so the Nets decided to let him go. Williams' loss, though, leaves Jarrett Jack as the Nets starting point guard, which many think will be a major problem for Brooklyn. Jack thinks that he will be able to excel as a starting point guard but would rather show it than say it, according to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
Jack hasn't been a full time starter in the NBA since the 2011-12 season with the New Orleans Hornets and is likely better suited for a backup role as he provides scoring punch but not much else. The problem for the Nets is their other options to start at point guard aren't much better. The only other point guards on the roster are Shane Larkin who is expected to be the backup and Donald Sloan and Ryan Boatright, who are not locks to make the team.
A year ago, Jack started 27 games for the Nets, while Williams was working his way back from and injury and he was productive but couldn't hold on to the job. Jack is somewhat of a ball stopper who takes questionable shots at times and is not a good three point shooter so he certainly has his limitations. Jack is not worried about the point guard position for the Nets though and he thinks he will prove people wrong.
"It does motivate me, but it's not like I've got the article pinned up on my wall, but my thing is that all you can do is show and prove ... wait for the opportunities and then take advantage of it, and just help your team win. That's the only way you're going to get people to realize it," said Jack.
Last season with the Nets, Jack averaged 12.0 points and 4.7 assists per game on 44 percent shooting from the field. Those numbers look very nice for a backup point guard, but the problem is he only made 27 percent of his threes and had the worst plus-minus of any qualifying player on a playoff team. The Nets were outscored by 7.8 points per 100 possessions with Jack on the floor, and while plus-minus isn't always a great indicator, that is not something you want attached to your starting point guard.
When the Nets let go of Williams, they knew they were taking a risk by having Jack become the starter. Jack hears all of the detractors and appears to be highly motivated to prove them wrong and put together a great season. If Jack is able to put together a good season, he might be able to help the Nets sneak into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
