:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60132085/usa_today_10724218.0.jpg)
Reporters caught up a couple of Dwight Howard’s new teammates Wednesday and although D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie nor Jarrett Allen know the big man, all expressed optimism that he will help the Nets next season.
At Steve Nash’s “Showdown in Chinatown” Wednesday, DLo told Mike Scotto that the trade was “big time news.”
D'Angelo Russell on the reported trade sending Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets: “Man, he’s definitely a piece that can help any team. He’s well respected around the league and definitely put in the damage to earn that respect. So, like I said, it’s big-time news.”
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 21, 2018
And in response to Brian Lewis, DLo talked about Howard, sort of like him last year, has a clean slate now that he’s joined the Nets.
D'Angelo Russell on @dwighthoward: “Man he’s definitely a piece that can help any team." #Nets @Dloading
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) June 21, 2018
D'Angelo Russell on if he's heard concerning things re: @DwightHoward: “I dont really know him. So whatever I’ve heard...it kinda goes out the window once you become my teammate...I’m just looking forward to meeting him & getting on the floor right away.” #Nets @Dloading
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) June 21, 2018
Spencer Dinwiddie, like DLo, focused on what Howard can bring.
Spencer Dinwiddie on #Nets adding @DwightHoward: "Obviously Dwight Howard, for most of his career, was a perennial All-Star, and still a 15-and-12-type guy. So obviously he brings a lot of talent." #NBA https://t.co/T6ReDwjBDu @SDinwiddie25
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) June 21, 2018
Meanwhile at a NBA jr. event at Basketball City, Allen said while he was disappointed that Timofey Mozgov wouldn’t be around any more, he revealed that Howard was someone whose game he tried to emulate growing up.
Asked Jarrett Allen his thoughts waking up to news of @BrooklynNets trade to get Dwight Howard... #Nets pic.twitter.com/ZoQrDI1dOE
— Dan Serafin (@DanSerafin) June 20, 2018
Obviously, the Nets will have to figure out how to play Howard and Allen, either together or in tandem. But that’s months away!
And one of Howard’s teammates, Steve Nash, offered this assessment...
“Guys are moving every few years very regularly. It’s just the nature of the salary cap and the business nowadays,” said Nash, teammates with Howard in Los Angeles. “Dwight’s got a lot of talent. Dwight knows if he plays hard he has a big impact on the game, and I’m sure he’ll come here hungry and able to help the [Nets] move in a positive direction.”
No word yet from the only Net to play with Howard, Jeremy Lin, who played together in Houston.