Nets Have High Hopes For Seton Hall’s Whitehead
By Ben Standig
Special to BIGEAST.com
LAS VEGAS -- Realizing the dream of playing in the NBA for any single person is insane. Just consider the sheer number of aspiring ballers firing up jumpers and honing their dribble-drive skills across the country and throughout the world. Now think about the odds of getting that dreamy opportunity with your hometown team. Stop, come on. Even for Las Vegas, those are some terrible odds.
Isaiah Whitehead beat those odds and more. After two years at Seton Hall, the Brooklyn native entered the NBA Draft -- and was selected by the Brooklyn Nets (technically traded to the Nets immediately after he was chosen by Utah). So much unreal in one single moment.
Perhaps that helps explain why the 21-year-old guard looked like a turnover machine in his Nets debut during the 2016 Las Vegas Summer League. Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Whitehead forced and sprayed passes, dribbled into traffic and looked lost in spots during a rough first half. The final box score showed seven turnovers on his stat line.
“My first game out there were definitely some nerves there," the second-round selection said following the game.
Rookies feel pressure. The unknown is scary. The thing is Whitehead, a unanimous All-BIG EAST first team selection last season, isn't just moving up a level. It's not just about imagining a scenario where friends and family can skip a plane flight but simply take a New York subway to the Nets home at Barclays Center to see him play in the regular season. Whitehead's true journey at this moment involves learning a new position.
"I see him as a point guard," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said of Seton Hall's primary wing guard last season.
Brooklyn also sees Whitehead as a key building block despite his second-round status. He reportedly received a four-year contract with two years guaranteed. That type of faith helps with the pressure, but the learning curve is all too real.
Whitehead dished the ball plenty during his two seasons with the Pirates, leading the team with 5.1 assists per game during his sophomore campaign. But Whitehead also took the most shots and averaged a team-high 18.2 points. In time, the Nets will want the full arsenal unleashed.
For now, it's about distribution: "Reading things better," Whitehead said.
And defensive schemes: "It's much different [schemes and rules] than in college."
And the speed of the game: "Definitely much faster. Much bigger, stronger guys. You have to compete every possession, basically."
And wow there's lots to process for a 21-year-old before he ever plays regular season games in his hometown.
As for that first game in a Nets uniform, Whitehead came clean with the missteps while recognizing messing up is part of the growth process.
"Turned the ball over a lot. It's going to come with learning the NBA game," he said. "Trying to get a handle on everything. I mean, everything is moving so quick right now. Just trying to play more games and get better."
Here's the thing. He did get better. Not just over his remaining four games, but in that very first game. Whitehead immediately opened the second half with assertive drives and crafty passes, which led to more confidence and a pesky presence on the defensive end.
"I think in the first half it was nerves. I loved the way he came out in the second half," Atkinson said. "He just started attacking. He's learning the NBA game. Just how he's attacking downhill and making plays. It's normal a young guy like that is going to make mistakes."
Over the next four games, he made far fewer, committing only seven turnovers total with 13 assists.
"What we recognized in the draft [process] is that he can distribute the ball," Atkinson sad. "He's got really good vision. He can slide off and play off the ball with his size, body, length. It's going to take him a while to get the nuances of the position down."
The relationship with the straightforward Atkinson is picking up where the connection between Whitehead and Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard left off.
"He's really sharpened a lot of tools for me," Whitehead said of Atkinson. "He tells me straight up what I need to work on and what I do well. That's always a plus having a coach who will keep it honest with you."
Whitehead says the Nets coaching staff is keeping it real with him regarding defense, as in do better. The 210-pounder with a thick frame is embracing their take.
"Offense is going to be there. Defensively, I definitely have to work on guarding screen and rolls. Just being on help side," Whitehead said. "It's much different [schemes and rules] than in college."
There's plenty different in Whitehead's future compared to his Seton Hall days. Last season the Pirates were the last team to beat eventual NCAA Tournament champion Villanova. Playing for a rebuilding Nets team, such stellar moments won't come by often. Seton Hall reached the postseason in 2016. Brooklyn probably won't sniff the playoffs in 2017. Whitehead played heavy minutes. Roles for rookies aren't always easily definable.
If those are some of the obstacles in the way of Whitehead living out his NBA dream, so be it. Getting the opportunity already beats the odds. Receiving that chance in your hometown, get out of here.
"It was unbelievable," Whitehead said of being selected by Brooklyn. "My friends, my family just to come out and see me play every game, it's an unbelievable honor. I'm definitely looking forward to it."