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| The zero on Sundiata’s jersey certainly wasn’t representing his effort level, but his shooting level? Quite possibly. |
On today’s edition of Netlinked, we look at how the Indiana Pacers have yet again poached away a free agent Net. After signing Gerald Green in July, Indy has signed Queens native Sundiata Gaines to a minimum contract with an invitation to training camp, similar to the deal the Nets gave Andray Blatche a few days ago. Gaines, a gritty 6-1 point guard, spent the last two seasons with the Nets and played a total of 67 games, averaging 5.2 points, nearly 2 boards, and 2.3 assists per game.
However, Sundy’s contribution to the Nets was mainly in the defensive aspect of the game where he was major pest and ballhawk, sticking with the better offensive players in the NBA when tasked with guarding them. Averaging nearly a steal per contest, Gaines, who the Nets picked up from the D-League in February 2011, was able to cause many turnovers in his limited playing time that often led to fast-break points for the Nets, a rare stat for the team to come by since Vince Carter and Jason Kidd were traded away years ago.
Like Gerald Green, we wish Sundy the best with the Pacers and hope he’s put in an environment and role where his attributes can be better used as his skill set doesn’t really help a bottom-feeder like the Nets that much. He is able to produce so much more when on a winning, playoff team, shown by the contributions (mainly this shot) he made to the Utah Jazz in 2009-10, when they made it to the postseason.
On another note, the Pacers also signed guard/forward Sam Young and point guard Blake Ahearn to similar contracts as they did with Sundiata. Young was rumored to have some interest in the Nets this offseason but, obviously nothing came out of that.
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