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Feb 2, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket past Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) and point guard Kyrie Irving (11) and shooting guard James Harden (13) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Feb 2, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket past Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) and point guard Kyrie Irving (11) and shooting guard James Harden (13) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
It is not a hidden fact that the Brooklyn Nets are one of the worst defense rosters in the league today. They’re a unit that always keeps their opponents in the game because they can really blow it with their permeable guarding ability.
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Their loss against the league-bottom Washington Wizards opened up fresh wounds for them. They won 124-120 against the Clippers, but the LA-based team was able to bounce back in the dying minutes to make it a single-point game (119-120). If not for those clutch FTs, the result could have been different.
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Hawks center Clint Capela and forward John Collins reach for a loose ball with Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Brooklyn Nets and their defensive woes
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For the Nets, James Harden scored a 23-point triple-double and proved great at both ends. He has taken on the role of playmaker and perhaps happily compromised on his shooting figures. This has lifted the game for Kyrie Irving, who is continuously posting big numbers and becoming the top offensive weapon. However, there’s something bothering The Beard.
In the post-game interview, the newest entrant to the squad accepted the issues and also sent out a warning, and said, “Once we get that down pat defensively, you’re talking about blowing teams. Offensively, we’ll figure it out and continue to figure it out. Defensively, we have to figure it out. That’s where it has to be in order for us to be playing at the end.”
The league standing ranks the Nets #26 in the defense rating, which is even below the teams like Bulls and Pistons. As good as they’re offensively, they’re just as bad defensively.
Steve Nash had also raised his concerns
Before the season was even about to kick off, the newly appointed rookie head coach Steve Nash had said, “Defense is our number one priority.” However, after those back-to-back losses against the Cavs, he had to agree that the Nets were “not a defensive roster”. Even NBA analysts came down heavily on the Nets, pointing out that this team had no more excuses left.
With the loss of Caris LeVert, their bench had already taken a hit. Then they also lost Jarrett Allen and perhaps with him, their guarding abilities.
The Nets since the Harden trade:
122.6 offensive rating
– Best in league
– Would be the best of all time119.9 defensive rating
– Worst in league
– Would be the worst of all time pic.twitter.com/B5EbhfuEzH— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 1, 2021
The Nets’ have a few holes that are making them lose games that can prove expensive later in the season. They need to put their guards back in place if they are to fight with the like of the Bucks and Lakers in the future.
Read also – Houston Rockets Create New Three-Pointers Franchise Record Despite Departure of James Harden
