Breaking Down the Brooklyn Nets’ Offense

Horns

One of the most commonly used sets in the NBA is Horns, where a ballhandler can navigate two screens set by his big man. The Nets run Horns naturally flowing from their primary sets often. Non-point guard ballhandlers like Caris LeVert and Randy Foye use horns when they’re tasked with initiating the offense. Above, LeVert calls Horns and runs a pick-and-pop leading to a Quincy Acy three-point shot.

Below, LeVert uses Horns again, using the collapse of the defense to find Foye open in the corner for three.

If the Nets need a quick bucket, they can run horns for a variety of options.

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Pick-and-Roll/Pick-and-Pop

Another simple, but effective play the Nets often resort to is the pick-and-roll. The Nets’ main point guards in Jeremy Lin‘s absence, Isaiah Whitehead and Spencer Dinwiddie, ran the pick-and-roll to their benefit. Below, Brook Lopez sets the screen for Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie denies the screen, driving with the defender anticipating the screen. He streaks to the basket and finds Lopez for a floater.

One aspect of Whitehead’s development is his confidence in running the pick-and-roll. Below, Whitehead threads a nice pocket pass to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who unfortunately cannot finish the play.

In general, running the pick-and-roll allows the Nets to exploit some mismatches and potentially find open shooters if the defense commits too hard on the roll.