Nets guard DeShawn Stevenson can often be spotted dropping knowledge on rookie MarShon Brooks in the locker room or in games, explaining the ins and outs of the league, detailing ways to handle different defenses.

It wasn’t like that for Stevenson as a rookie in Utah, where he played alongside an aging Karl Malone, John Stockton, Byron Russell and John Starks.
 
“When I came in the league, people didn’t tell me stuff because I was fighting for their position,” Stevenson said. “When I look at MarShon, we play the same position, but I look at it like, I’ve made my money, I’m probably going to be in the league for three more years, and he has a lifetime. So why not tell him about the game and what he needs to know.
 
“Most veteran guys wouldn’t do that, but I don’t look at it like that. I don’t look at it like (Damion James) is trying to get my spot, or MarShon – I look at it like I’m trying to help people out and get to the next level.”