The story is well known by now. The Nets never thought Chris Douglas-Roberts would be available to them at the 40th spot in the NBA draft.
Chris Douglas-Roberts never thought he would be available to anyone at 40. The Nets were ecstatic that he was. He was livid.
So began their relationship: The Nets thrilled to have a guy they didn’t think would last to them, Douglas-Roberts more than a half-million dollars (at least) poorer because he did. The 6-foot-7 wing still is ticked by the snub, still has a chip on his shoulder.
“I feel like I have to keep a chip just to stay motivated,” said Douglas-Roberts. “That’s an extra boost for me. I come into the gym with that on my mind every day. As crazy as it seems, that’s still on my mind. But it helps me.”
Not nearly as much as he is helping the Nets.
Douglas-Roberts comes to the NBA from Memphis, where John Calipari ran the dribble-drive attack that coach Lawrence Frank is installing for the Nets. Who better to give player-to-player advice than a guy who played in the system? The pupil is the teacher in this instance as veterans seek Douglas-Roberts’ advice.
“I definitely come to him and ask his opinion, especially since he’s been through it in college and throughout the summer,” said Vince Carter, who in turn is eager to offer his advice, to anyone, in other matters. “How does he feel about it? Where does he get his spots? That’s how I learn. I ask him questions. I definitely don’t want him to ever be afraid to ask questions [thinking] he’s asked a dumb or stupid question.”
There are no stupid questions. On second thought, the question once asked, “Where is Tennessee-Chattanooga? Knoxville?” wasn’t exactly brilliant.
Douglas-Roberts said his role as rookie mentor to the stars has eased his transition to the NBA.
“It’s crazy that we’re actually running this and I’m fresh out of it. There are no egos when they can come to a rookie and ask,” said Douglas-Roberts, making a bid to be a rotation player. “I don’t look at it as anything else but trying to help a teammate.”
*
Yi Jianlian didn’t practice – and though he will do more today, he won’t go through contact, Frank said. There was a thought Yi would resume yesterday, but he got to workout late because he had to get a visa for Europe and the hours are limited.
Yi said he’s not worried about falling behind. “I learn watching and still have four days, five days of training camp. That’s enough.”