Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: 5 things that must go right to make 2019 playoffs

By Chris Milholen

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 17: DeMarre Carroll #9 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates a win against the Dallas Mavericks on March 17, 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 17: DeMarre Carroll #9 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates a win against the Dallas Mavericks on March 17, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Brooklyn Nets
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 5: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets blocks the shot against Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks on April 5, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jarrett Allen must emerge as elite rim protector, help defender

Jarrett Allen had a great rookie season with the Brooklyn Nets last season. Allen, who is arguably one of the steals of the 2017 NBA Draft, not only played at a high level, but carved his name in stone as a player Sean Marks should have at the center position for years to come.

On the offensive end, Allen did a great job embracing his role in a pace-and-space offense. He knew his role and played accordingly. The big man remained down low in the paint, making his presence known and gathering offensive rebounds.

More from Nothin' But Nets

He did a great job of embracing contact and not shying away from going at a bigger center.

Allen is not a shooting big man. In fact, Allen only attempted three shots behind the arc last season. The Nets do not need Allen to shoot the ball from behind the arc. Brooklyn has an arsenal of 3-point shooters on its roster and needs Allen to remain down low.

Now, Allen can improve on his mid-range shooting. If Allen can shoot from mid-range at a high level, he will become a more difficult defensive assignment and help Brooklyn spread the floor.

With his solid offensive game comes his decent defensive game. Let’s get into the two things Allen must improve on; rim protection and help defense.

Allen was commonly out-bodied down low and would easily get pushed off. Allen is not the strongest big man and is undersized compared to other NBA centers. By undersized, that does not mean his height. Allen is 6-foot-10, which is a good height for a center.

His physical strength must be improved. His size limited his defensive impact and his confidence. If Allen can enter the 2018-2019 season with more muscle, not only will his confidence go up, but his play on both ends will as well. He will also become a better rim protector.

Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets /

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn big man is a good shot blocker. He had a series of highlight blocks last season, showing he is not afraid to contest shots down low. Despite his highlight blocks, he needs to bring that aggressiveness to every game in order to become a better rim protector.

As far as his overall defense, Allen would commonly remain in the paint on the defensive end, shying away from defensive help. He did do a great job of not letting his player get too spread out, but he’s got to open that awareness to the whole court.

If Allen becomes more aware on switches and uses his length to cover greater amounts of the court, opposing teams will have a harder time moving the ball closer to the basket. This will lead to the opposing team shooting more contested shots.

Allen did show more awareness against the pick-and-roll during his two games in the Las Vegas Summer League, showing a willingness to come out and hedge against the ball-handler while still being able to recover to guard the roll man.

The Nets center needs to up his play on both ends of the floor in order for Brooklyn to increase its playoff chances, especially when he will be on the court for the majority of each game. Now, that will depend if he can stay healthy.

Allen did a good job of staying healthy last season for Brooklyn, playing in a total of 72 games.

This leads to the third thing Brooklyn must do in order to make the playoffs next season.