Brooklyn Nets: 5 Fixes Nets Must Make To Improve In 2013-14

Gerald Wallace isn’t living up to his mega deal with the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

While we still don’t know who will be coaching them next season, we do know that the Brooklyn Nets need to change a bunch of things in order to make a run at an NBA title.

Brooklyn already has the big man and point guard in place to compete for a championship in Brook Lopez and Deron Williams, but it’s more about the role players and how they’re used that leads us to the fixes the Nets must make to improve.

That said, let’s highlight five fixes the Nets should look to improve for the 2013-14 season.

Get Joe Johnson Healthy and Moving

A stationary Joe Johnson isn’t the key for the Brooklyn Nets’ offense. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

As much as I love how clutch Joe Johnson’s jump shot was at times this season, one thing became increasingly clear throughout the season: Johnson needs to take fewer jumpers and drive to the rack more.

I already touched on this topic in a past column (be sure to click it and check out Johnson’s shot chart), but I’m going to reiterate my point. At 6’7″, 240 pounds, there’s no reason Johnson should be standing behind the 3-point line waiting to launch. He should be using that solid frame to get to the basket and finish around the rim.

Of course, the first step will be for Johnson to get healthy during the offseason, but the 31-year-old’s shooting percentages were below his career average this year.

He’s got one of the sweetest touches of anyone from outside, but the Nets offense would be better served with Johnson driving to the basket more often, which can create open looks for teammates.

Sign a Knock-Down 3-Point Shooter

Kyle Korver is the type of shooter the Nets need to target. (Photo by Mark Runyon a.k.a. Basketball Schedule/Flickr.com)

C.J. Watson shot a ridiculous 41-percent from 3-point range this season, but no other member of the Nets shot better than 38 percent from long range, highlighting the need for a knock-down 3-point shooter.

As a team, the Nets ranked 17th in 3-point shooting, coming in at a marginal .357 mark—this is something Brooklyn should be looking to improve for the 2013-14 campaign.

Someone like Kyle Korver—a career 42-percent 3-point shooter and unrestricted free agent this summer—immediately comes to mind as someone the Nets should be looking to bring in to bolster their offense.

Originally drafted by the Nets franchise back in 2003, it’d be a homecoming for the 32-year-old sharpshooter. 

Re-Sign Andray Blatche

Andray Blatche was a pleasant surprise for Brooklyn this past season and must be re-signed. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

With Andray Blatche’s impending free agency looming (h/t ESPN), it’s imperative that the Nets work with the 6’11” big man to retain him for the next couple of years in Brooklyn.

Blatche was a nice surprise for the Nets this season, coming over from the Washington Wizards after a tumultuous career in Washington. Blatche averaged 10 points and five boards a game for Brooklyn this season and provided solid depth off the bench when spelling Brook Lopez and Reggie Evans.

With Kris Humphries likely gone, the need to sign a big man becomes more imminent for the Nets and they might as well sign a guy who’s already proven to be effective playing with franchise cornerstones Deron Williams and Lopez.

Share the Ball

Deron Williams can’t be the only one sharing the ball for Brooklyn. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

The Nets have one of the more selfless point guards in the NBA in Deron Williams, but Brooklyn needs more ball movement on offense.

The Nets ranked 27th in assists per game this season, with a 20.3 average. Behind Williams (7.7 assists per game), the next leading passer was Joe Johnson, coming in at 3.5 assists per contest—that can’t happen.

For a guy like Gerald Wallace, who was dismal this season, to only average 2.6 assists is unacceptable, especially after the poor scoring performance he put up this season.

The Nets are nowhere near the New York Knicks in terms of selfish players and too many isolation plays, but Brooklyn needs a more active and sharing offense.

Add Depth at the 3

Brooklyn needs to address the small forward position this offseason. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

Of all its positions, I’d say small forward is the weakest for Brooklyn.

Starter Gerald Wallace certainly isn’t living up to his $40 million deal, as he averaged a mere seven points, two assists and four rebounds this season while shooting 39 percent from the field and even worse 28 percent from downtown.

The Nets have absolutely no depth at the 3 spot, which is something they must address during the offseason.

In the Eastern Conference against dominant small forwards like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, the Nets need to match the intensity and strength of their peers at the position, and they’re not doing it with Wallace. 

Follow me on Twitter: Follow @Pete_Schauer