Brooklyn Nets Stock Watch: Risers and Fallers Heading into NBA All-Star Break

The Brooklyn Nets stock rose significantly heading into the All-Star break. Following yet another lopsided defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on February 10, the Nets ripped off two impressive victories over the playoff-bound Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets.

A 31-22 record has Brooklyn ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. The first half of the 2012-2013 NBA Season was certainly a success for the Nets, especially with the high expectations that came with moving from New Jersey to the bright lights of New York City.

But there is still room for improvement.

Let’s take a closer look at the roster to see whose stock is rising and whose is falling at the half-way point of the season.

Rising: Brook Lopez

The evolution of center Brook Lopez has been the biggest bright spot for the Nets this season.

Lopez was a solid contributor during his first four seasons, but he has taken both his offensive game and his defensive game to a whole new level. The 7-footer leads all NBA centers in scoring (19 PPG), and is sixth in the league in blocks per game (2.2) and rebounds (7.4).

These gaudy numbers have helped the 24-year-old earn his first trip to the NBA All-Star Game. He will be the only player representing the Nets in Houston tomorrow.

Falling: Deron Williams

The play of point guard Deron Williams has been the biggest disappointment for the Nets in 2012-2013.

The perennial All-Star is averaging just 16.7 points and 7.6 assists per game on 41.3 percent shooting this season. During his most productive season with the Utah Jazz in 2008-2009, Williams averaged 19.4 points and 10.7 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the field.

Williams has been plagued by injuries and a lack of confidence since the team moved to Brooklyn. On Monday it was announced that he would miss at least the last two games before the All-Star break with inflammation in both of his ankles. The Nets won both games without their star player.

It’s fair to say that D-Will has yet to live up to his $17 million annual salary.

General Manager Billy King hopes the week of rest will help Williams regain his top-level form. He’s expected to return to practice on Monday.

Rising: Tyshawn Taylor

In the absence of Deron Williams, rookie point guard Tyshawn Taylor stepped up big in the overtime win over the Pacers on Monday.

Taylor scored a career-high 12 points in a career-high 34 minutes. With the Nets trailing 78-77, he nailed two crucial baskets in overtime to help Brooklyn escape with the win. Entering the game, the rookie out of Kansas was averaging a meager 4.1 minutes in 25 games.

With Joe Johnson and Williams struggling, the Nets will need more big performances from Taylor as he continues to develop and gain confidence.

Falling: Joe Johnson

Prior to his 26-point eruption against the Nuggets on Wednesday, Joe Johnson hadn’t scored 20 points in a game since January 21. Wednesday’s win also marked the first time he’s shot over 50 percent from the field since January 2.

Like his backcourt partner, Johnson has been struggling to find his shot, but he doesn’t have an injury to account for his offensive woes. His poor play may have more to do with fatigue. The 31-year-old is averaging nearly 38 minutes per game. Fortunately the All-Star break will offer Johnson some much-needed time to rest.

The six-time All-Star is the highest paid player on the team, earning $19 million this season. He’ll need to shoulder more of the load during the second half of the season, especially with D-Will playing injured. The Nets currently rank 20th in the league in points per game, and 21st in field goal percentage.

Rising: Andray Blatche

The Nets weren’t sure what they were getting when they signed Andray Blatche to a one-year contract worth a little over $850,000.

Having never played college basketball, Blatche, who entered the league in 2005, showed signs of immaturity while playing for the Washington Wizards. He was involved in several off-the-court incidents during his time in Washington, which culminated in the Wizards waiving him in July 2012.

When the Nets signed Blatche to a non-guaranteed deal in September, they had no idea they were getting their leading bench scorer. Blatche has averaged 10 points and 5.3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game for Brooklyn this season. He ranks 16th in the league in PER (21.95).

Other than the All-Star level play of Brook Lopez, Blatche was the biggest surprise through the first half of the season. It turns out the Nets got him at a discount price.