Mason Plumlee, in a bit of a slump, but still the Nets bright light

Mason Plumlee is in a bit of a slump.  In the last four games, he's averaged 11 points and three rebounds.  He has been in foul trouble, averaging 3.5 personals in only 22 minutes of play.  He does continue to shoot well, going 18-of-25 over that stretch.

Still, the seven-footer is the Nets brightest light, a low first round pick in a bad draft who's taken off, both literally and figuratively.  As Howard Megdal of USA Today writes, "Plumlee has emerged."

In an interview with Megdal, Plumlee talks about how he has capitalized on his athleticism.

"People talk about athleticism. It's a ton of work to maximize athleticism. Look, my parents were good athletes. I was blessed genetically. But it's also something I work to maximize. I'm in the weight room four days a week. I take care of my body. I eat right, I sleep right, I get the treatment I need. There's a lot that goes into being able to run and jump at Game 80. Everybody starts out running and jumping at Games 2, 3, 4, 5."

And he talks about his future ... in Brooklyn. "I love Brooklyn, I love the people in the organization. So I absolutely want to be the guy they don't want to trade. I think we can build something here."

• Nets' Mason Plumlee forced to become Brooklyn's finest - Howard Megdal - USA Today