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Brooklyn Nets Have Abandoned Offensive Rebounds, Quickened Pace

By Max Prinz

Dec 14, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets power forward Trevor Booker (35) grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets power forward Trevor Booker (35) grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets have had a very noticeable drop-off in offensive rebounds over the last two seasons. This might be another negative for a struggling team, but it’s more likely part of new head coach Kenny Atkinson‘s larger plan.

In the modern NBA, with its uptempo play and emphasis on pace-and-space basketball, offensive rebounding has fallen by the wayside. In their first year under head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Brooklyn Nets have joined the growing contingent of teams straying away from the offensive glass.

The Nets, as they do in many categories, rank near the bottom of the league in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 8.7 and rating 27th. More advanced metrics aren’t kind either–the Nets rebound just 19.5 percent of their own misses, good for 28th in the league.

Just two seasons ago, the Nets averaged 10.3 offensive rebounds a game, 24th in the league. Last season, the team finished right in the middle of the league, with 10.5 per game. The offensive rebounding trend is another strong reminder of how quickly the NBA landscape can change.

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There are a couple of explanations for this drop-off. Trevor Booker, the team’s leading rebounder, is the only player who fits the mold of a bruiser down low. His minutes have been cut slightly as Atkinson is spending more time playing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at the four. RHJ certainly has the athleticism to play four in the modern game, but his lack of size was always going to hurt the Nets on the glass.

There’s another, more unsurprising structural issue. Brook Lopez, the team’s largest human, has never been a great rebounder, offensive or otherwise. He’s never averaged double-digit rebounds in a season and is grabbing just 5.1 per game this season. That would be his lowest total since injury cut his 2011 season short.

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Of course, it should be mentioned that Lopez’s newfound affinity for three-pointers is to blame for his lower rebounding totals. It’s exceedingly difficult to launch from 25 feet away and still rebound. I would argue that Lopez’s surprising success from deep has been well worth the tradeoff on the boards.

That’s part of the dramatic philosophical shift the Nets are making under Atkinson. The team is playing close to the league’s fastest pace and shooting lots of threes. Eschewing the offensive glass is another part of that. Atkinson wants the team to run and limit their opponent’s transition opportunities. 

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Watch that clip again. Notice how Booker is the only player who stays near the rim as the shot goes up. The four other Nets are already by halfcourt as the ball hits the rim, and Booker has to wait for his teammates to start a new possession.

It hasn’t yet translated to wins, but the Nets are among the league leaders in opponent field goal percentage in transition. Opponents are making just 49.1 percent of their transition shot attempts against the Nets, the fifth best mark in the league, according to NBA.com. Still, the Nets are also among the teams allowing the most transition opportunities per game, with more than 16 on average.

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Atkinson’s teachings have clearly started to take hold. Their near league-leading pace is evidence of that. But they’re adjusting to new ways of thinking on the offensive glass. If they’re going to abandon the boards, they must work harder to limit transition opportunities.