FanPost

Nets Preseason Games ----- Team Defense

I know, it is only preseason. So, please take the numbers with a truckload of salt. Numbers were all from NBA.com.

Team Defense

Figure 1

The Nets has been trying to build up a defensive identity. Unfortunately, with the numbers from preseason, it does not look like is the case. With a defensive rating of 104.3, Nets has ranked of 3rd worst in the league only ahead of Pelicans and Magic. Without a reliable defense, this team could not go too far, I guess I will give up the playoff hope then, it is going to be a long season.

The most glaring defect for nets game is the lack of rebounding. The Nets has bottom 3rd of defensive rebounding percentage of 73.3%.

Look into the positive side, throughout the 6 games, this team has been playing as a team. Talented or not, they were playing with reasonable discipline, which is reflected in a relatively low number of fouls giving out, and active in forcing TOs from opponent team. The Nets were forcing top 6th TOV from an opponent team and committed below league average number of fouls. I know last season Nets were the team committed least fouls, and people said that's because the Nets were so off in a position that they were not able to foul. I don't think that's the case this year.

Figure 2

It is no surprise that when a team struggles in rebound, they will give out second chance points. The Nets were also not that great in transition defense, as it gives out more than 22 pts off turnovers, and was belong average in giving out fastbreak points.

The Nets is the dead last in the league in giving out points in the paints. We need defensive big who can rebound the ball, and protect the rim.

Figure 3

We really let our opponent score easily, allowing the worst FG% of 47.9% in the league. And we were beyond bad in defending restricted area, allowing 68.6% FG%, a 3.5% higher than second worst team. We are equally bad in defending mid range shots too. We do have above average 3point defense, ranked #11. (now I'm happy with anything that is close to average.)

Look at Atlanta ranked #1 in defense, we still have room to improve, hope the team will gel soon and improve their team defense.