The Brooklyn Nets do not like offense, they love it. For better or worse, this team fell in love with the art of scoring a few years ago, likely due to franchise pillars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both developing offensive bags deeper than the Mariana Trench.
Even with defensive studs Ben Simmons and Royce O’Neale set to join Brooklyn, the team is expected to once again resemble a force at the offensive end this coming season. When looking at their projected roster’s stats, Brooklyn looks certain to challenge not only the league’s current top offensive teams, but those from the past as well.
Zeroing in on the 3-point shot, the Nets have an opportunity to scratch their way into the NBA’s record books.
Between their new additions and bringing back players that were injured from last season, the Nets will assemble a long range shooting force well equipped to break the league’s 3-pointers made in a season record, currently held by the 2018-19 Houston Rockets.
Last year, Nets Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Royce O’Neale, Kevin Durant, and Patty Mills averaged a collective 12.3 triples per game. During their last healthy seasons, Joe Harris and T.J. Warren averaged a collective 4.5 triples per game.
When you add those numbers together and multiply them by 82 (total games in a regular season) you arrive at 1,378 made 3-pointers, which would surpass Houston’s mark of 1,323 by a handsome margin.
While these are only projections, the massive margin between the record and what the averages on Brooklyn’s roster add up to is notable. The fact that this team will also insert Simmons into the fold, someone who despite missing all of last season still ranks seventh in assisted triples since coming into the league, makes this record feel reachable as well.
If you want any more backup, this figure for Brooklyn also does not include production from rookies Cam Thomas and Kessler Edwards, who both showed off an ability to hit from deep at various points last season.
CAM THOMAS.
— ESPN (@espn) February 17, 2022
DAGGER IN MSG 🔥😤 pic.twitter.com/RoY5q6UhVR
Skeptics will be quick to remind you that the aforementioned Rockets team which currently holds this record did not win an NBA championship, nor did the next six teams that trail them on the record board.
Winning it all after a disappointing start to the Durant/Irving era should indeed be Brooklyn’s goal this year. However, Nets fans should not overthink what breaking the 3-point record will do for them.
Becoming a lethal team from deep is by no means a bad thing. Scoring at an efficient rate helps you win, and six teams accomplishing that while also failing to win it all should not convince you otherwise.
After all, the triple is the shot that helped the Golden State Warriors, the greatest dynasty of our time, win their rings. Matter of fact, last year’s championship Warriors team holds the seven spot on the all-time 3-pointers record board as well. Just some food for thought.