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Of All Brooklyn Nets’ Flaws, Turnovers the Biggest

By Max Prinz

Feb 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) and Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) battle for a loose ball during second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) and Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) battle for a loose ball during second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets have struggled mightily in almost every area of the game this season, but their league-high turnover rate is their biggest problem.

Following last night’s defeat at the hands of the vicious Memphis Grizzlies, the Brooklyn Nets have lost their last 13 games. They have a single victory in their past 25 contests and rank near the bottom of the league in virtually every statistical category.

As of Monday afternoon, the Nets are 28th in offensive rating, 26th in defensive rating and 26th in three-point percentage. They are also–and this is the worst stat of all–dead last in turnovers per game, coughing it up on 16.4 percent of their possessions.

There is some truth to the idea that turnovers are a bit of an overrated stat. Players with high usage rates: the LeBron Jameses, James Hardens and Russell Westbrooks of the world, are going to turn the ball over a lot. If you want them to create a lot of offense, you’re going to have to live with a few turnovers.

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But the Nets do not have one of those players. They need to have a more balanced attack to score points.

It is likely that part of the reason the Nets have struggled with turnovers so much is that they are still learning Kenny Atkinson’s offense. Atkinson brought Atlanta’s read-and-react system with him to Brooklyn and infused it with a Warriors-level pace. It’s an offense that features few set plays and instead requires supreme chemistry. That’s something nearly impossible to develop in year one.

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Players have to be in sync with each other and play off one another to decide when to cut, when to screen, and when to attack the rim. Watch the Nets play, and you can see the still high levels of unfamiliarity in the game.

Take the team’s struggles in the second half of games, for example. The Nets generally start out games with energy, running their preferred four-out set a lot to weave the ball around the perimeter. 

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Brook Lopez is often the focal point early in games. His best scoring quarter is the opening frame — he averages six points in the first quarter, which ranks the highest on the team. The Nets’ defensive efficiency has been higher in the first half of games, and the team’s Net Rating is highest in the second quarter, thanks in large part to the league’s second-highest scoring bench.

However, the Nets have struggled mightily to maintain that offensive competency for 48 minutes. There is less reading and even less reacting down the stretch of games. Too often, the Nets devolve into isolation plays that lead to turnovers and bad shots.

The Nets’ lack of point guard depth also has only exacerbated the turnover issues. Jeremy Lin‘s extended absence has often left the Nets playing without a true point guard in the fourth quarter of games. Joe Harris is a fine player, but having him running the pick-and-roll is less than ideal.

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One of the Nets’ recent defeats, a 111-107 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, provides a good example of how turnovers have been hurting the Nets. Brooklyn held the Hornets to 39 percent shooting in that game, including a 7-for-26 mark on attempts from deep. But the Nets were out-rebounded 51-41 and turned the ball over 15 times. The Nets shot better, made 12 three-pointers, and still lost.

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Brooklyn cannot afford to continue giving opponents so many extra chances to beat them. The second half of this season must be dedicated to growing the team’s offensive chemistry and comfort within Atkinson’s offense.