Brooklyn Nets 2013-2014 Player Review: Alan Anderson

There wasn't much fanfare surrounding the Alan Anderson signing in the summer. He didn't make much of an impression in Toronto in his two seasons back from his stint overseas. He signed with the Nets in late July after Bojan Bogdanovic was unable to join the team.

The numbers

How was the 2013-2014 campaign for Anderson? Let's check the stats:

Anderson wasn't expected to be a major player on offense, and he lived up to those (low) expectations. His true shooting percentage of 52.5 percent was in the bottom half of the team's mark, and his struggles from three point range explain why. Despite taking three attempts from downtown a night, he only shot 33.9 percent from deep. That isn't too far off from what he's done in his NBA career, as he's shot 34.5 percent in his five seasons. He did have his share of good moments, including his 22 point game against the Spurs where everyone in the building was in love with him (I was there that night).

One of the things I sought to stress during the game previews this season was communication on defense. In the early part of the year, the Nets looked discombobulated as the defense was one of the league's worst. They started to make improvements defensively, and Anderson noted a key reason as to why:

"We talked on defense. Whether it was the right talk or the wrong talk, we talked."

With Anderson on the court, the Nets allowed 103.6 points per 100 possessions compared to 106 when he was out of the game. Anderson certainly has the characteristics of a quality defender. He is reasonably quick, athletic and is very strong. That strength helps him defend players like LeBron James when he goes to the low post (I didn't say stop LeBron, for those about to mention the Eastern Conference Semifinals). He can guard three positions and do so reasonably, and that versatility helped the Nets to slow down Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry in Games Six and Seven.

The Highlight Reel

Who among us doesn't like to see a playoff scrum?

Salary situation

Anderson has a player option for $1.06 million next season.

He needs to...

Shoot better from three point range. When the Nets made the switch and inserted Anderson in the starting lineup for Games Six and Seven against the Toronto Raptors, it was done to provide some more shooting compared to Shaun Livingston, and most importantly, to improve the team's spacing. They won those games, but Anderson didn't provide the shooting touch Jason Kidd was looking for. He shot 6-16 from the field and made only one three pointer. He's been a decent shooter from deep in his career (34.5 percent) but the Nets need him to get better.

In the future

Anderson figures to be around for a while longer. He'll be 32 heading into the season and was one of the more durable members of the Nets last season. He was second on the team in games played after Joe Johnson. Depending on what happens with Shaun Livingston and Paul Pierce in free agency, we may be seeing more of Anderson. Assuming Marcus Thornton is still with the Nets going into the season, those two will be competing for minutes coming off the bench. Thornton is the more productive player on offense but Anderson has the edge on defense.

Grade: B-

There weren't any major expectations placed on him coming into the season, and he did okay in the minutes he received. He's an acceptable role player that can have the occasional big night. He's a solid rotational player on a good team.