Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: Week 3 Coach Analysis

By Brandon Jefferson

Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Atlanta Hawks (left) instructs World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) during the second half against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Atlanta Hawks (left) instructs World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) during the second half against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (7) plays the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard sean Kilpatrick (6) during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (7) plays the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard sean Kilpatrick (6) during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Breakdown: Sean Kilpatrick

Sean Kilpatrick should never be confused with a world-class athlete. He’s well put together and puts the term “dad bod” to shame. However, his struggles in the NBA have always been on the defensive end.

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With Lin out, these deficiencies were only greater highlighted. Facing off against the likes of Derrick Rose, Kris Dunn, Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, and D’Angelo Russell isn’t something that most starting point guards fare well with, and Kilpatrick had his troubles too.

At times, the Nets were able to use Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as the primary defender on the point guard. However, with those other teams–except Paul’s Clippers–having great wing players too, Hollis-Jefferson was moved around the floor for the better part of the game.

Additionally, Jeremy Lin is by no means a lockdown defender, but his experience in the league helps him to do adequately against the cast of star point guards now in the league.

With Kilpatrick as the starting point guard, opponents’ shooting saw a rise up 47.5 percent and 52 percent from behind the three-point line. As a team, this lineup had its defensive rating (DRtg) go as high as 114.8 versus the team’s 105.4 DRtg on the season. The percentage of defensive rebounds the new starters grabbed saw a dip to 71.4 percent instead of the team’s season average of 75.6 percent.