Brooklyn Nets: Examining the team’s defensive struggles

Unsurprisingly, the Brooklyn Nets (13-9) have been quite the force on the offensive end, ranking 2nd in offensive efficiency (116.8) behind only the Milwaukee Bucks (117.9). Over the last ten games, however, the Nets have been No. 1 offensively and scored 119.3 points per 100 possessions — a mark that would be the best in NBA history over an entire season (topping the Dallas Mavericks’s 115.9 last season). For reference, newcomer James Harden has played in eight of the team’s last ten contests.

With players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and now Harden, Brooklyn’s offensive prowess was predictable to some degree. What also was somewhat predictable, however, is that the team would have some issues on the defensive end of the floor. The Nets have the 25th-best defense (112.7), and over the last 10 games, it’s been the third-worst defense in the entire NBA — allowing 118.0 points per 100 possessions over this span.

It’s really quite remarkable. Over the last ten games, Brooklyn is not only scoring at a rate that would be the best in recorded NBA history (119.3) but it’s allowing points to be scored at almost the same historic rate (118.0).

Offensively, the Brooklyn Nets have looked like a contender, but the team’s defensive issues could hold it back. What’s going on on this end of the floor?

As bad as the defense has been recently, the issues don’t exactly jump off the page — at least statistically. Defensive rebounding was a major concern early on this season, but this seems to have improved a bit. Not only does Brooklyn now rank 23rd in defensive rebounding percentage (ranking was worse earlier this season), it’s posted the 14th-best rate over the last ten games. It’s worth noting, however, that opponents have taken advantage of its offensive rebounds, as the Nets have allowed an NBA-worst 15.6 2nd-chance points per game this season. Still, this has improved to 14.9 (4th-worst) over the last 10 games.

Additionally, the Nets are allowing the 14th-fewest attempts within six feet of the basket, and teams are only shooting 59.8 percent on these shots (12th-best). Over the last ten games, the defense is actually allowing the ninth-fewest attempts and only the 11th-worst percentage of 61.8 percent (not good…but not awful).