Nets Defense Is Not Just Really Bad. It's Historically Bad

The basic numbers are bad enough, as Mike Mazzeo reports. The Nets are currently ranked last in the league in opponent field goal percentage (49.3), 3-point percentage (39.5) and defensive rebounds per game (26.7). They are 25th in points allowed (100.0), and give up the sixth-most fast-break points in the league (14.8).

But that's not the end of it. It's only the beginning. John Schuhman tweets that by one statistical measure, the Nets are the NBA's worst defensive team in two decades. Schuhman writes, "Comparing team efficiency to league average, the Nets have the worst defense of the last 20 years, allowing 9.6 pp100p (points per 100 possessions) more than the league," adding, "Next worst of the last 20 years was the 2005-06 Sonics at +7.9. So the Nets are the worst BY FAR."

• D-isgraceful: Nets' D by the numbers - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York