Brooklyn Nets Working to Improve Defense

The Brooklyn Nets, for the most part, have struggled defensively during the preseason. Brooklyn plans to hang their hat on defense during the season, but they will have to improve as a unit.

Through four preseason games, the Brooklyn Nets sit at 1-3, with their only win coming in the opener against the Detroit Pistons.

Of course, in the preseason, wins and losses don’t mean much. The play on the court, however, is very relevant. The Nets, led by the defensive-minded Kenny Atkinson, have not performed as expected on defense through their first four games.

Atkinson told the New York Post after the loss in Miami that the coaching staff used the defensive lapses as teaching moments. “We had some beautiful ones,” Atkinson said, presumably frustrated. “It was good. I think we have to embrace those moments. These are great teaching moments trying to get on the same page. … Like I told our guys, we can do better. We have to do better.”

Against the Heat, Hassan Whiteside dominated inside the paint, as the Nets had little to no answer for Miami’s big man. Whiteside led all scorers with 21 points, albeit on a night when Brook Lopez did not play.

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The fact that Lopez didn’t play, in Whiteside’s case, is notable. But that’s to be expected in the preseason, Atkinson won’t wear out his main players in games that don’t count. If it were a regular season matchup, Lopez would’ve been in the game to defend Whiteside.

That’s why Brooklyn’s defense stats have to be taken with a grain of salt. Through four games, they’ve given up an average of 107.7 points per game. Understandably, that’s not good enough, but the Nets should be better with their regulars on the floor most nights.

One of the players Brooklyn brought aboard to produce on the defensive end of the floor is Trevor Booker. Booker embraces his role with the Nets. “I don’t think it’s new to me, being a defensive leader. I was pretty much the same thing in Utah. That’s why brought me in. … I’ve been defensive-minded my whole career.”

Brooklyn’s defense, under Atkinson, should be better. The Nets did make marginal improvements from one game to the next. Against the Heat, Brooklyn forced just 12 turnovers. Against the Celtics, the Nets upped that number to 18. But the defense is certainly a work-in-progress.

Fortunately for the Nets, Atkinson should be the correct coach to right the ship. He’s a great defensive coach, and in time the Nets should improve as a unit. Their struggles could simply be the result of a number of new players coming together and trying to get acclimated in Atkinson’s defense.

Next: Nets vs. Celtics: Takeaways & Grades

Four games, especially four preseason games, is a small sample size. While it may be early, the Nets have identified that they aren’t happy with their defensive output. It starts in the film room, and then the Nets have to execute on the court.

Brooklyn will get another shot at the Celtics on Monday, when they travel to Boston for their fifth preseason game.