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The Nets announced at Wednesday's morning shootaround that Shane Larkin & Wayne Ellington will start in the season opener. That means Bojan Bogdanovic is coming off the bench, while Larkin gets the start over Donald Sloan with Jarrett Jack's sitting due to a tight hamstring.
Wayne Ellington will be in the starting lineup. #Nets
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) October 28, 2015
Shane Larkin, as expected, gets the start at point guard with Jarrett out tonight with a tight hamstring.
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) October 28, 2015
Nets Opening Day starting lineup in 2015-2016: Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington, Joe Johnson, Thaddeus Young, Brook Lopez.
Nets Opening Day starting lineup last year: Deron Williams, Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Johnson, Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez.
So much for 'Brooklyn's Backcourt.'
Bojan Bogdanovic will come off the bench despite hefty expectations placed on him for the season. Bogdanovic sprained his ankle and suffered a concussion while playing in the 2015 EuroBasket this past summer. It's plagued Bogdanovic, who struggled mightily in the preseason after shooting 25.7 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, Wayne Ellington will get the start in his place after shooting 46 percent from three in the preseason. With Lopez serving as one of the few legitimate scoring threats in the lineup, it's important he has reliable shooters out on the perimeter should he get double/triple teamed.
This isn't ideal. The duo of Larkin & Ellington will have to match up against Derrick Rose & Jimmy Butler in their starting debut for the Nets.
Welcome to the new season!