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Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 preseason

By Ed Easton Jr.

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 5: Jeremy Lin #7 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets high five each other during the game against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 5, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 5: Jeremy Lin #7 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets high five each other during the game against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 5, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Good team execution

The Nets struggled last season to a woeful 20-62 record, failing at almost every aspect of the game. The goal this season was to shore up their team roster and push for better defense, forcing teams to work harder to score on the offensive end.

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Head coach Kenny Atkinson is in his second season as a NBA coach, and it’s believed for the first time he has a sufficient amount of talent on the roster to see his vision in action. The talented backcourt and finally acquiring an impact player in Allen Crabbe from the Portland Trail Blazers will allow for more combinations on the floor than Nets fans are used to from the team.

During the preseason, Brooklyn held their first two games opponents to under 90 points, showing a larger attention to defensive assignments. The final two games, however, saw the club fall back into old habits, most notably the blowout 133-114 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the finale.

Atkinson notices the tough play from his team but is still focused on winning more than just good effort as he shared with the New York Post.

"“Playing hard isn’t enough. We’ve got to play a little smarter,” Atkinson said. “There’s a step to make. I’m not sure what exactly that looks like. Utopian [conditions] I do, but I think we have to make steps where we don’t have to talk about, ‘Hey, they play hard.’ They’re really executing, and really playing smart basketball. I think that’s the next step.”"

“Defense wins championships” is usually the slogan heading into playoff time and the Nets need to become a more consistent defensive unit to make that their own reality.

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