D’Angelo Russell and Nets coach Kenny Atkinson insist the young point guard is completely healthy in the wake of his sprained knee. But both also admit that Russell is still searching for the same rhythm he had before getting hurt last Tuesday in Orlando.
“Yeah,” Russell said when asked if he was 100 percent fit. When asked if he was just looking for his rhythm, he replied, “It’s as simple as that.”
Russell averaged 23 points through his first four games, with seven steals and pesky defense. But since tweaking his knee against the Magic, he missed one game and has averaged 13.5 points per game with no steals and so-so defense.
In Sunday’s 124-111 loss to the Nuggets, Russell had 12 points and eight assists. But he also had five turnovers, shot 3-of-12 and looked more comfortable when playing off the ball with Spencer Dinwiddie handling the point.
“We wouldn’t put him out there if he wasn’t 100 percent. Our medical team and him, we do this collaboratively. He’s fine,” Atkinson said.
“I do think — this is every NBA player, and other sports, too — when you have a little injury it takes a little time to get your rhythm, just get it back. And I’m sure he’s searching for it. He’ll get it back. He started the season really strong and got dinged up a little. I think it’s a question of rhythm.”
Former Nets owner Joseph Taub passed away Friday. With the team holding a moment of silence for him before Sunday’s game, ex-players remembered the New Jersey native as great to play for but even better to know.
A Rutgers product and co-founder of ADP, Taub became the Nets’ principal owner in the late 1970s and served as the team president before selling in the mid-1980s.
“He was a great owner, but even more importantly, he was a great man. Within the last 10, 15 years I got to know him as Joe, and not as the owner,” ex-Net Albert King told The Post en route from Taub’s funeral in Tenafly. “He was always there for me, with advice on business. We went out for dinner with a lot. It was always Otis Birdsong , myself, [ Micheal Ray Richardson ], and he never let us pick up the check. He’s get mad if you tried.
“He grew up in Paterson, always gave back to that community. What you may not know is he gave to a lot of places. He was a good man, with a great laugh. I’d known him since 1981, my rookie year. He was a great man, truly blessed.”
DeMarre Carroll (ankle) and Quincy Acy (left groin strain) were out Sunday and are day-to-day. Atkinson was hopeful they’ll be back by Tuesday, while Acy said only, “I’m good. I feel great.” … Jake Wiley made his NBA debut.