Submitted by Cory Bernstein of Hoops Talk Nation

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Brooklyn’s Finest 15 is my ranking the 15 Brooklyn Nets on their ability and potential impact on the Nets next season. Here’s number 14, Jerry Stackhouse.

When the Nets signed Jerry Stackhouse, I was shocked. I had assumed Stack had retired at some point in 2009 or 2010, but clearly I was wrong. For the past two years, the two time All-Star has toiled away on Miami and Atlanta’s benches, averaging under nine minutes a game and playing in few contests.

I expect much of the same from Stackhouse in Brooklyn. Obviously, the former Tar Heel was an incredible player years ago, but those days are long gone. Stackhouse has not averaged over twenty minutes a game since 2008 and played in fewer than 42 contests every year since then. Though never a great long range shooter (he is a 30.8% shooter for his career from behind the arc), Stackhouse was at one point an elite scorer, using length and athleticism to score at will. He is a great free throw shooter, a skill that has not deteriorated with his age. Stack’s defense is currently nothing special and will not be called upon to lock a wing man down at this point in his career.

Despite his shortcomings with age, Stackhouse will have a role with the Brooklyn Nets. As an experienced veteran, Stackhouse can guide some of the younger and more inexperienced players through this season. Unlike most players on the Nets’ roster, Stackhouse has tons of playoff experience, including a run to the NBA finals in 2006 with the Mavericks. With some egos and enigmas such as Andray Blatche in the fold, Stackhouse can be used as a calming, veteran influence.

Additionally, Stackhouse can take MarShon Brooks under his wing (no pun intended) this season. The two have similar body types, and Stackhouse can teach MarShon how to become the elite scorer Net fans believe he can be. Brooks can learn so much from the seventeen year veteran about scoring and playing on the wing in general. More than anything else, being a mentor to MarShon Brooks could be Stackhouse’s primary role on the Nets this season. As such a young, talented wing man, it could be a major asset to have Jerry Stackhouse on the bench to teach and nurture the 6th man.

Like number 15 on this list, Jerry Stackhouse will have little impact on the court this season. However, having a calming veteran influence on the bench is an invaluable asset for a young and inexperienced team like the Nets. If Stackhouse can help down Andray Blatche, teach Kris Humphries some media savvy, but most importantly be a big brother to MarShon Brooks as he embarks on his second NBA season, the vet could be a key piece for the Nets this season.