It was a small second, simply missed except you had been awaiting it.
After a late November Nets follow, as gamers trickled off the courtroom, Haywood Highsmith stayed behind. The veteran ahead, nonetheless caught on zero minutes this season and nonetheless rehabbing the identical proper knee that hasn’t let him debut in Brooklyn, grabbed rebound after rebound as rookie Drake Powell shot free throws.
Highsmith bounced the ball again time after time with a smile, whispering steering solely Powell may hear. It wasn’t staged and it wasn’t requested. It was merely who he’s, a participant who can’t but contribute on the courtroom however stays decided to assist in any means he can.
“Just a true vet,” head coach Jordi Fernández mentioned. “You see him right now, he’s passing the ball to Drake and we’re not asking him to do it. So that shows you the type of veteran he is, his leadership. He holds him accountable and he wants him to get better. So that’s very important for us. That leadership is priceless and we’re very happy with him… He’s doing his job every single day.”
Even on the sideline, Highsmith’s already turn out to be one in all Brooklyn’s quiet anchors. He’s mentoring rookies, staying engaged on the bench and bringing the form of regular presence the Nets hoped they had been getting once they introduced him over from the Miami Warmth. On a younger workforce nonetheless figuring itself out, that off-court affect’s been each bit as helpful because the 3-and-D minutes he was initially anticipated to offer.
Within the meantime, the Nets have leaned into his presence relatively than his manufacturing. Highsmith was introduced in to supply two-way glue: a switchable defender, a 37.4% profession 3-point shooter and a participant hardened by Erik Spoelstra’s system and postseason calls for. His 74 appearances and 42 begins with the Warmth final season made him one of many extra dependable 3-and-D rotation wings in the marketplace for a workforce like Brooklyn, which has stocked up on developmental forwards.
And Highsmith nonetheless profiles as a match as soon as wholesome. Brooklyn’s protection has climbed steadily behind improved effort and communication. Including a powerful positional defender who can guard up a spot solely reinforces that. Offensively, the 29-year-old doesn’t want touches to be impactful. He screens, cuts, occupies corners with out criticism and retains the ball transferring. These traits are helpful on a roster leaning closely on rookies and veterans in newly outlined roles.
There’s additionally the commerce element. Highsmith’s $5.6 million expiring contract and playoff resume make him a pure deadline goal for contenders in search of a no-maintenance, plug-and-play wing. If he returns within the close to future and exhibits he’s again to type, Brooklyn may convert a summertime salary-absorption deal into one other future asset.
That November trade with Powell wasn’t only a snapshot of Highsmith’s persona. It’s been the blueprint for a way he’s approached these troublesome months of rehab. He can’t assist the Nets on the scoreboard, but, however he’s helped them in all places else, by means of small conversations, regular encouragement and a consistency that hasn’t slipped whereas his knee slowly catches up.
Brooklyn’s hopeful the on-court affect follows quickly, however the off-court model hasn’t wavered for a second. Till that adjustments, they’re getting every part he may give.
“He’s been doing great. He’s an extreme pro. He’s the ultimate pro,” Fernández mentioned. “Great example for everybody else… We just don’t have any update, but he’s doing very well.”
