NBN Roundtable: How Did the Nets do After One Month?

Is the Nets’ Eagerness to Shoot Three’s Beneficial or Detrimental?

Sandy Mui: The NBA has changed into a small-ball, three-point shooting dominated league. As such, all teams should adjust, even the low-expectation Brooklyn Nets. The glaring issue with the Nets’ “green light” mentality on three-pointers is that they haven’t consistently been able to knock them down. However, that isn’t to say that their three-pointers are bad shots. When watching them play, it’s a mystery each night about whether their offense will be good–that is, be able to hit their treys. Still, one thing is for sure, most of their three-pointers have been open or wide open, as I pointed out here. Once the whole team can establish a consistent shooting touch, this will only help the team. And it’s better for them to do so now, when they’re not expected to have a spectacular season anyway.

TJ Porreca: To say the 2016-17 Brooklyn Nets like to shoot three-pointers is an understatement. The most intriguing aspect for Brooklyn is that their center, Brook Lopez, has transformed into a frequent three-point shooter. There are multiple ways to look at this. Most importantly, Lopez has proven he can make three’s. He attempts nearly six three-pointers per game, and is making 37 percent of his attempts so far this season. Of course, the other side of the coin is, if Lopez is out beyond the arc, his 7-foot frame isn’t in the paint for a chance at a rebound. The Nets as a team have embraced the mentality of hoisting up three-pointers — sometimes to the tune of more than 40 per game — and it doesn’t seem that Brooklyn will slow their pace significantly. On the season, Brooklyn is averaging 11.5 made three’s per game, while shooting 34.8 three’s per game. Certainly, the three-pointer is more embraced around the NBA now than ever before. However, for the Nets to get the best look each time down the floor, they may want to cut down on their attempts per game.

Justin Witmondt: I don’t mind the Nets’ eagerness to shoot threes as much as I do the ineffectiveness of the shots they are taking. Take the Golden State Warriors, for example, a team that is known for launching the deep-ball. Golden State converts on about 39 percent of their three-point shots. The Nets, on the other hand, have taken more three’s than the Warriors, and converted on just 33 percent of their attempts. As a matter of fact, the Nets have taken the second most threes among all NBA teams, with the Houston Rockets having attempted over 600 threes, but converting on 38 percent of those attempts. With the Nets being the sixth-worst team in terms of three-point percentage, they need to be wiser with the shots they are taking by utilizing their big-men, such as Lopez, in the paint.

Christian Milcos: This three point heavy strategy on offense is certainly one of the only things that makes this team somewhat enjoyable to watch. When they are on their game from behind the arc, the offense becomes a thing of beauty. However, when they get cold, the game tends to get sloppy and out of hand quickly. It has become a high risk/reward style of play on offense. More locked in play on the other side of the ball would lessen this strategy’s margin for error. Considering the team is not even 30 games into the season, it’s fair to continue using this style of play in order to see where it takes the Nets when fully healthy. 

Charles Daye: Completely beneficial. The Nets need to find out what they have and what they need offense. Plus, this is allowing Lopez to be the shooter he is and it is working. Lopez can shoot from anywhere on the court, having an offense that encourages that is working for him. Add Kilpatrick and Bogdanovic, hope for some consistency, and pray LeVert is what they hope he is. 

Zach Cronin: For me, the volume is the biggest concern. It’s so bad that they’ll shoot themselves out of games sometimes. Hamilton and Lopez are the only two guys shooting above 35 percent from downtown, so there shouldn’t be any worry with them. The worry is with everyone else. If they’re open and it’s a perfect pass and someone’s ready to shoot, that’s fine. However, it gets to a point where a player needs to realize his struggles from behind the arc and look to get close to the basket for an easier shot. Any NBA player gets more confident when they see the ball go through, and it’s especially true with young players. However, is there a point when the coaching staff asks them to limit the volume of their threes? I believe there is, and it’s because they’re effective when they’re closer to the basket. 

Let’s look at Joe Harris as an example: 

• 2.9 two-point attempts per game, 58 percent 
• 4.8 threes per game, 34.6 percent

Crazy concept, I know.

Brooklyn is far more efficient from inside the arc and, despite being in the bottom three for two-point attempts, they’re sixth in percentage at 50.8. Moreover, they shoot 24 free throws a game and have reliable shooters from the charity stripe. It makes more sense because their roster is full of slashers: Kilpatrick, Bogdanovic, Lin when he’s healthy and Whitehead.