Q&A with Brooklyn Nets Rookie Mason Plumlee

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Mason Plumlee was drafted with the 22nd pick on the 2013 NBA draft and no one thought he would have an impact on the Brooklyn Nets veteran laden team but he has made his mark and is having a huge impact heading into the playoffs.

Plumlee has grown exponentially during the season and the Nets are now reaping the benefits of his raw athleticism and energy. His willingness to do whatever the team needs and be a sponge soaking up what all the veterans have tried to instill in him will no doubt benefit the Nets come playoff time.

Plumlee is averaging 7.3 points per game and grabbing 4.3 rebounds and those stats aren’t jaw-dropping but he is shooting 65 percent from the field and knows his role that was handed down from head coach Jason Kidd. He was told to stay in the paint and crash the glass and that is exactly what he has done all season long.

His name has all of sudden been mentioned for Rookie of the Year since he made headlines with a huge game-saving block on Lebron James in the final seconds of the Nets season sweep of the Miami Heat last week.

Here are a few excerpts from a piece done about Plumlee in the Washington Square News.

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Q: With the season wrapping up, how do you feel you have improved as a rookie playing on a team with so many veterans? What have you learned from them?

A: First of all, [Kevin Garnett] and Paul [Pierce] have been the best in terms of work habits. Their regimen doesn’t change, win or lose, start of the season or end of the season. They get to the gym at the same time and are just very professional about how they handle their business. That’s the main thing I’ve taken away from them. But, at the same time, they have been very helpful in talking to me about how I spend my free time, how I carry myself on the road trips and how I spend my money. So, unlike most veterans, they have a lot of interest in what I’m doing outside of the team. Having guys who are really in their prime like Deron [Williams] and Joe [Johnson] on the court, I can learn from them. I pick up things from everybody, but those two guys in particular have played really well at this stretch, and they’ve helped me with my game, too.

Q: How have you worked to prove yourself a s a rookie on a veteran team, on and off the court?

A: They definitely give me lots of opportunities to prove myself. They have a lot of extra stuff I have to do. Carry bags, make them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before the game, a lot of little errands to run on the road and things to keep me busy. If you get their towels, bags and water for guys it’s not so much about that, but Paul knows if I can remember to get him a towel after every game then I can remember to rotate on help on defense, so it’s really bigger than the towel, you know?

Q: Your hustle on the offensive glass got you a nice spot on the NBA rookie ladder for the 2013-14 season, how do you react to all the news about your chance of being the rookie of the year?

A: It’s an honor to be considered for it. I would be surprised with my numbers if I won it, but at the same time to be in that conversation is always a privilege.
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