It was a small second, simply missed until you had been expecting it.
After a late November Nets apply, 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 might 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 manner he can.
“Only a true vet,” head coach Jordi Fernández stated. “You see him proper now, he’s passing the ball to Drake and we’re not asking him to do it. In order that reveals you the kind of veteran he’s, his management. He holds him accountable and he needs him to get higher. In order that’s crucial for us. That management is priceless and we’re very proud of him… He’s doing his job each single day.”
Even on the sideline, Highsmith’s already turn into certainly one of 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 group nonetheless figuring itself out, that off-court influence’s been each bit as helpful because the 3-and-D minutes he was initially anticipated to supply.
Within the meantime, the Nets have leaned into his presence somewhat 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 group 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 robust 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 shifting. 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 reveals he’s again to type, Brooklyn might convert a summertime salary-absorption deal into one other future asset.
That November alternate with Powell wasn’t only a snapshot of Highsmith’s character. It’s been the blueprint for a way he’s approached these tough months of rehab. He can’t assist the Nets on the scoreboard, but, however he’s helped them in all places else, via small conversations, regular encouragement and a consistency that hasn’t slipped whereas his knee slowly catches up.
Brooklyn’s hopeful the on-court influence follows quickly, however the off-court model hasn’t wavered for a second. Till that modifications, they’re getting every thing he can provide.
“He’s been doing nice. He’s an excessive professional. He’s the last word professional,” Fernández stated. “Nice instance for everyone else… We simply don’t have any replace, however he’s doing very effectively.”
