After lacking coaching camp and the primary two months of the common season, Day’Ron Sharpe isn’t simply staying wholesome for a depleted Nets workforce, he’s enjoying among the greatest basketball of his profession.
Again from a hamstring damage, the Nets massive man is averaging a career-high 7.8 factors on 48 p.c capturing together with 6.3 rebounds via 25 video games.
Sharpe has been even higher in January — averaging 8.9 factors and seven.1 rebounds as his enjoying time has jumped to 19.6 minutes per sport attributable to accidents and trades creating extra alternatives.
His rebounding potential has at all times been a energy, however the four-year Web feels he has refined his sport elsewhere.
“Pacing myself. Not simply being in a rush with the whole lot. I really feel like after I first received again, I used to be in a rush,” Sharpe mentioned following the Nets’ 110-96 loss to the Kings on Monday night time at Barclays Heart. “Simply making an attempt to go too quick. Not paying consideration. Probably not centered. I used to be simply making an attempt to play exhausting so I might play the suitable means. However I really feel just like the month of January I’ve been getting my rhythm again. So, simply pacing myself and perimeter [defense]. With the ability to slide, change. I really feel like I’ve been engaged on that loads. I’ve received a methods to go although.”
Sharpe is capturing 53 p.c from the sector this month — up from 44 p.c as soon as he began enjoying in December.
The 23-year-old who’s already in his fourth season in Brooklyn has scored in double digits in six of 14 video games this month, which included three double-doubles.
Sharpe needed to cope with Kings standout massive man Domantas Sabonis, who leads the league in rebounding, on Monday and nonetheless earned his third double-double of the season with 12 factors and 10 rebounds (seven offensive) together with one block and three steals throughout 23 turnover-free minutes.
He has three video games with eight or extra offensive rebounds off the bench this season.
No different participant has multiple such sport.
“That’s simply what I do, seize offensive rebounds regardless of who the opposite massive is,” Sharpe mentioned. “I’m gonna attempt to get each final one. [Sabonis] did play quite a lot of minutes too, so he boxed out all night time. So, I assume it simply went in my favor within the second half.”
When Noah Clowney limped off the courtroom within the second quarter on Monday, having sprained his left ankle by awkwardly touchdown on Sabonis’ foot, Sharpe was tasked to tackle extra minutes towards Kings star with Nic Claxton, who had a mere six factors and 7 rebounds.
Nonetheless, Sabonis outdid the Nets all throughout the board.
The three-time All-Star ended with a triple-double of 21 factors, 22 rebounds and 10 assists throughout 41 minutes, for which he was a plus-29.
“No. 1 is how exhausting he works all year long and you must be in elite form,” coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned of Sabonis, who he coached for 2 seasons in Sacramento (2022-24). “Clearly, he’s very sturdy however you realize he’s an final professional. You possibly can see it on the stat line right here. Very aggressive. That’s how he performs. He impacts the sport along with his passing, rebounding, and scoring. And that clearly not simply him, however the entire workforce advantages from what he does. So, how exhausting he performs and also you have a look at the minutes, 41 minutes, that’s fairly spectacular.”
If an prolonged absence is to return for Clowney, who has been dominated out for Wednesday’s sport in Charlotte, they may rely extra on Sharpe’s manufacturing together with forwards Jalen Wilson and Tosan Evbuomwan, who scored a mixed 30 factors and 10 rebounds towards the Kings.
“Being an anchor on protection. Get again and telling guys the place to go, calling the switches. As a middle, you see the whole lot so simply making an attempt to be a vocal chief on protection,” Sharpe mentioned. “That’s been the primary problem they’re making an attempt to get me to do.”