Brooklyn Nets: Bojan Bogdanovic Must Improve Defensively

Many people believe Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Bojan Bogdanovic could have a breakout season in 2016-17. For that to happen, though, Bogdanovic must improve his defense.

It’s no secret that Brooklyn Nets small forward/shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic has not started a game during the preseason. There is a built in reason for this: Bogdanovic played in the Rio Olympics for Croatia, and so naturally the Nets want to ease him back into action.

However, time seems to be running low for Bogdanovic to secure a starting spot. This is not a development that many Nets fans expected going into the season. Bogdanovic seemingly was going to be one of the Nets’ starters, either at small forward or shooting guard. Many are expecting a breakout season from the 27 year-old, so the fact that he may not start is eye-opening.

It should be noted that nothing is decided yet. Brooklyn’s starting lineup for October 26 is not set in stone just yet. For Bogdanovic to be part of the starting five, the Nets would like to see him improve his defense and rebounding.

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Bogdanovic is a skilled scorer — one of Brooklyn’s best — and the Nets value his scoring ability. However, if he’s going to start, he knows he must be more of a complete player on defense.

“I know,” Bogdanovic said, via the New York Post. “I’ve already talked with [Coach Atkinson]. He told me I have to be better on defense. That I know. So I hope I will earn a couple more minutes with my defense this season. I have to be better, maybe on the weak side of the offense, [and] on closeouts. So I think that’s going to be most important for me this season.”

Coach Atkinson also weighed in, noting that, regardless of if Bogdanovic starts, he will absolutely contribute. “It’s very clear what we’re asking him to do,” Atkinson said. “Up to this point, he’s done a pretty darn good job. I’m pretty happy with what he’s done so far. Obviously, he has the shooting piece, the skill piece, the passing piece. He made a couple of nice passes the other night. He’s going to play. I think he’s going to have a really good year.”

Most would agree with Atkinson’s assessment. Bogdanovic should have quite a good year, and if the Nets have success, he could be a big part of it. But as the New York Post notes, Bogdanovic was the worst defensive player on the Nets last season, with a defensive rating of 115 (referring to the amount of points he gave up per 100 possessions).

For Bogdanovic to get consistent minutes, that aspect of his game must improve. Brooklyn has already struggled defensively as a team during the preseason. They simply can’t afford long runs of bad defense if they want to stay in games.

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Bogdanovic will be a real offensive weapon for the Nets when he’s on the floor. He averaged 15.1 points per 36 minutes last season. In the Olympics, he averaged 25.3 points, the highest mark in two decades. The Nets will rely on him to score, but they need to be able to count on him defensively, as well.