Nicolas Brussino probably needs to work on some things in the off-season. His shot is there, the passing is there, but the consistency isn’t. I’ll let Mavs fans and Argentinians worry about those things, though. I’m not a player development coach. I’m just concerned about one major thing:
Nico’s ability to grow facial hair.
A lot of the best players in the NBA have facial hair, and if they don’t have facial hair, they at least have the ability to grow some if they want it. I’m not sure Brussino has that ability. And at his age – 24 – I’m not sure if he’ll be able to develop it.
It will be a lot of work over the summer. More work that Nico has ever put in before. He should surround himself with a team of stylists, barbers, and hormone treatment experts to ensure that he puts himself in the best position to succeed. And, maybe, when he comes back next year (assuming he comes back next year), he’ll have a wispy beard on his chin and a half-formed mustache on his upper lip. We don’t need to go full Harden-beard just yet – it’s a process. Developing the ability to cultivate facial hair is a process. Does Nico have what it takes?