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You’ve heard the nickname by now: Mr. Reliable.
That’s what Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King called Alan Anderson when he spoke to the media on May 6, and it’s an appropriate title.
Billy King: "I think Alan’s been a big plus for us. I think he’s been a good leader. I call him Mr. Reliable." pic.twitter.com/aqZ9RogjvO
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 6, 2015
Anderson, a 32-year-old swingman, is great at nothing but good at everything. He won’t dazzle with fancy crossovers or highlight dunks, but he’ll hit open shots, defend with heart and dive on the floor for loose balls.
Every team needs players like Anderson. It’s imperative that Brooklyn does all it can to bring him back next season.
Stats
|
2014-2015 |
Alan Anderson |
|
Games Played |
74 |
|
Minutes per game |
23.6 |
|
True Shooting percentage |
56.3 |
|
Assist rate |
13.2 |
|
Turnover rate |
9.6 |
|
Usage rate |
14.2 |
|
Rebound rate |
6.5 |
|
PER |
10.6 |
|
Win Shares per 48 |
.075 |
Salary
Opting out of player option worth close to $1 million next year, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Best Moment
Without a shadow of a doubt, Anderson’s best moment came in Game 5 of the Nets’ first-round playoff series. Double-A went for 23 points (9-11 FG) and seven rebounds, carrying an otherwise lifeless offensive attack as far as he could.
Alan Anderson had 16 points at halftime. DWill, Johnson, Bogdanovic and Thad COMBINED for 16. #Nets
— Thomas Duffy (@TJDhoops) April 30, 2015
If only for a game, Anderson wasn’t just some hardworking role player -- he was the star.
Needs to
Get healthy.
Anderson "underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle Tuesday," according to John Torenli of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
Some of Double-A’s value lies in his ability to play hard, consistent minutes on a nightly basis, so he needs to get himself back to 100 percent this summer.
Video Highlight
In the Future
"I’m free, so … I mean, I would love to stay in Brooklyn, but I am a free agent. So I will be free."
That’s what Anderson had to say about his impending free agency, courtesy of Newsday’s Rod Boone.
Take that as you will.
King said that he would welcome Double-A back, and the fact that Brooklyn has his bird rights -- meaning he can get more money with the Nets than anywhere else -- will help the team keep him.
Anderson's numbers really won’t catch your eyes, but his impact on the floor is undeniable. Brooklyn really needs to make a push to bring him back next season.