Brooklyn Nets look to turn page Friday night

The Brooklyn Nets are a very different team from a season ago after a busy offseason and lots of new additions. There are 3 things to must improve quickly.

Heading into this season, it was clear that Kenny Atkinson’s staff is going to have to work hard to put together a completely new Brooklyn Nets team.

The Nets had a massive turnover of players from last season to this season and in the season-opening loss to the Pistons, it was clear that this team has not found its identity.

By no means did Nets fans expect this team to mesh and play together like the Golden State Warriors, but it was clear that they have a little ways to go. Not only did injuries plague the Nets season opener, but they failed to sustain the offensive electricity they found in the first quarter.

Now that the Nets are back in Brooklyn for the home opener against the New York Knicks, the Nets are looking to turn the page and move on. This idea is no stranger to the Nets, either. After the loss in Detroit, the Nets must prioritize three things:

1. Taking care of the ball

We talked about this heading into the season and knew that it was going to be one of the Nets’ biggest struggles. The combination of Kenny Atkinson’s system and a new group of young players is a recipe for turnovers. Friday night in Brooklyn, the first key to the game is to limit turnovers.

It isn’t realistic to say that this group can get rid of all turnovers, but if they can limit them, the Nets are gonna be just fine.

2. 3-Point Shooting

One aspect of Kenny Atkinson’s style of coaching is his eagerness to shoot the 3. Fans and players love it, but it can easily cause lopsided wins and losses.

On Wednesday, even though the Nets were in a tight game, if 3-point shooting wouldn’t have been such a disaster, we would be looking at a W pinned on the schedule.

Shooting is something you just cant predict and that is why so much of the Nets offensive success relies on if the 3s are falling or not.

3. Rebounding

Going up against Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond in game 1 was not great for the Nets’ rebounding. The good news is that we saw Jarrett Allen hold his own in this game, but rebounding still hurt the Nets when he was out.

Against the Knicks; however, the Nets have a much more manageable task taking on Enes Kanter. Kanter had his way largely with the Nets in the preseason, but he is still no Griffin or Drummond.

Rebounding should be much easier Friday night, as the Nets are going to need more second-chance points.

After the loss in Detroit, Nets fans are itching for the opener in Brooklyn Friday night. This Nets team slammed with injuries took care of Detroit, but could not hit a game-winner in the final seconds.

This team is ready for the crosstown rival tonight in the game that is more than just a regular-season matchup for both sides. If the Nets can take care of the ball, get hot shooting and rebound, you can put them right back at .500 at 1-1.