Brooklyn Nets are winning, showing the blueprint for success

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 25: The Brooklyn Nets bench celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 25: The Brooklyn Nets bench celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

For a while this season, the Brooklyn Nets were struggling to match last year’s win total of 20. That seems like a distant memory as the Nets have been playing great basketball lately.

The Brooklyn Nets are have won four out of their last six games, and six out of their last 11. The Nets have certainly taken care of business against other bottom feeding teams. However Kenny Atkinson’s squad has also beaten the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks during this recent stretch.

The biggest reason for the Nets turnaround has been the shooting. The team has always been a high volume shooting team, but struggles to convert with efficiency. Over the last 11 games, the Nets field goal percentage is up to nearly 47 percent. Brooklyn is also hitting on 38.6 of it’s three point attempts.

Compare these numbers to the Nets’ season averages: 44.1 and 35.6 respectively. A major improvement overall, and from the perimeter.

The Nets are also average 2 less turnovers per game and 2.5 more assists over the last 11 games. Brooklyn is giving itself more  opportunities to score, and converting on those attempts.

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Kenny Atkinson has the Nets playing with more intensity on the defense end too. The Nets are averaging 7.4 blocks per game over the recent stretch compared to just 4.7 on the year. Rookie center Jarrett Allen has contributed significantly to that figure.

Beyond the numbers, the Nets look like they are really buying into the system that Atkinson has been implementing all year. Credit goes to the coaching staff for their persistence and drive, as well as the players for continuing to play hard despite the fact that the Nets aren’t in playoff contention.

The Nets can take this late season success into the off season and next year. With just two games remaining until the finish line, Brooklyn looks the best it has all season.

Next: D'Angelo Russell's ceiling and consistency