GT: Rockets vs Nets | Friday, 11/01/19 | 7:00 PM EST | ESPN

[Paradise]

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Statement Jersey Night
Barclays Center
7:00 PM EST
ESPN | YES












VS

THE RELOADED ROCKETS

[MGrand15]

Spencer Dinwiddie on challenges defending Houston:

"Beyond them being a great offensive team in general, we’ve been really bad on defense. So like, typically that’s not a good combination."



I just hope we get off to a good start and clean things up defensively. Houston is tough on both ends of the floor even if they just gave up 158 the other night.

[Paradise]

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[3pt_chucker]

Hopefully this game being on ESPN gives these guys extra motivation to lock in and not be so mfing sloppy.

Correctable stats that are gross to look at:

#1: 19.8 Turnovers per Game (28th)
#2: 9.7 Turnovers per Game from Bench Players (30th)
#3: 68.3% FT shooting (28th)
#4: 43.3% Opp 3P% (30th)

If we avg prob 15 turnovers instead of ~20 and shoot ~75% from the FT line, the Nets would be easily be 4-0 or 3-1 at the worst.

THe team is not that bad. There are some concerning things like PnR and Screen defense but nothing to get too worried about yet.

[MGrand15]

Really hope Rodi has a good game. He's been off all year. I was expecting the same type of aggression and energy from last year with shooting improvements. Instead, he's been very tentative. It's like he's trying to find the balance between aggression and good decisions and keeps making the wrong choice. We badly need him to get us some dunks and layups off the bench.

We need him to start playing well enough to take minutes at the 3.

[3pt_chucker]

Closer look at our insane 3pt defending stats:

Opponents are shooting a league best 58.3% from 3 (3 att per game) when defenders are (tight) 2-4 ft away!
The league avg btw is 27.5% That is insane. Since 13-14, the highest that percentage has been is 37.3! You have to think that this number will fall back to normal levels. For comparison, last season teams shot 27.4% against the Nets from tight defending.

When Opponents are Open (4-6ft away) , they are shooting 40.5% (10.5 att per game) Last season(32% on 11 att)

When Opponents are Wide Open(6ft +), they are shooting 41.7% (18 att per game). Last season(37.4% on 15.7 att)

So basically this matches what the eye test feels like. We need to tighten up on our 3pt defense but opponents are simultaneously shooting lights out on 3 against us.

One would have to think this is just statistical anomalies and will fall down to earth as the season progresses.

[MrDollarBills]

Closer look at our insane 3pt defending stats:

Opponents are shooting a league best 58.3% from 3 (3 att per game) when defenders are (tight) 2-4 ft away!
The league avg btw is 27.5% That is insane. Since 13-14, the highest that percentage has been is 37.3! You have to think that this number will fall back to normal levels. For comparison, last season teams shot 27.4% against the Nets from tight defending.

When Opponents are Open (4-6ft away) , they are shooting 40.5% (10.5 att per game) Last season(32% on 11 att)

When Opponents are Wide Open(6ft +), they are shooting 41.7% (18 att per game). Last season(37.4% on 15.7 att)

So basically this matches what the eye test feels like. We need to tighten up on our 3pt defense but opponents are simultaneously shooting lights out on 3 against us.

One would have to think this is just statistical anomalies and will fall down to earth as the season progresses.

Unacceptable. Completely unacceptable.

[MrDollarBills]

Been going through individual numbers and there are some things that need to be cleaned up in our backcourt.

1) Caris LeVert is averaging 19ppg 4rpg 4apg. Sounds great right, especially when he's hitting 37% from downtown and 46% raw FG?

Caris is shooting an inexcusable 53% from the FT line. His TS is at 51%. This has to change, missed FTs are KILLING this team.

Another number that jumps out is Caris' 4.3 turnovers per game. This is out of character for him.

2) Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 18pts 3rebs 6asts per. Amazing stuff from our 6th man right?

Nope. Spencer has been very inefficient thus far through 4 games with percentages of 38/27/78 w/ 3 TOs a game.

These two guys more than anyone else need to get it in gear. Three point defense aside, the Nets need to execute offensively and that job falls on our backcourt trio. Kyrie is holding up his end of the bargain. Time for Caris and Spencer to get into midseason form. These two get clicking I think we'll be a lot better than what we have seen so far on offense.

Prince needs to get his shot going often and early. He's down to 33% from deep, which I don't expect to be the norm for him. Keep on firing away I say.

[MrDollarBills]

Really hope Rodi has a good game. He's been off all year. I was expecting the same type of aggression and energy from last year with shooting improvements. Instead, he's been very tentative. It's like he's trying to find the balance between aggression and good decisions and keeps making the wrong choice. We badly need him to get us some dunks and layups off the bench.

We need him to start playing well enough to take minutes at the 3.

I wish Rodi would stop hesitating on his open threes, and start hesitating when he gets rebounds and give the ball up to a backcourt player. Rodi's issue has been him doing boneheaded stuff. He wants to be Draymond Green but he needs to get back to being Rodi Kurucs: Hit threes, finish on dunks and lay ups and be pesky on defense. The game should be simple for him right now it's not like he's being asked to do a lot.

[3pt_chucker]

Been going through individual numbers and there are some things that need to be cleaned up in our backcourt.

1) Caris LeVert is averaging 19ppg 4rpg 4apg. Sounds great right, especially when he's hitting 37% from downtown and 46% raw FG?

Caris is shooting an inexcusable 53% from the FT line. His TS is at 51%. This has to change, missed FTs are KILLING this team.

Another number that jumps out is Caris' 4.3 turnovers per game. This is out of character for him.

2) Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 18pts 3rebs 6asts per. Amazing stuff from our 6th man right?

Nope. Spencer has been very inefficient thus far through 4 games with percentages of 38/27/78 w/ 3 TOs a game.

These two guys more than anyone else need to get it in gear. Three point defense aside, the Nets need to execute offensively and that job falls on our backcourt trio. Kyrie is holding up his end of the bargain. Time for Caris and Spencer to get into midseason form. These two get clicking I think we'll be a lot better than what we have seen so far on offense.

Prince needs to get his shot going often and early. He's down to 33% from deep, which I don't expect to be the norm for him. Keep on firing away I say.

Just focusing on Din, I agree that he has to start playing better, especially since he's supposed to be the team's 6th man/spark plug.

My problem with Din is that he's really morphed into a player that's great at being a ball stopper/isolation guy but fallen off on other aspects of his game.

If you look at his numbers from last season and so far this one, his shooting percentages goes UP! the longer he touches the ball and the longer he dribbles the ball. He's good at catch and shoot but the problem is a) he doesn't do it enough because the ball is usually in his hands and b) he's a terrible off the ball player. He usually just loafs around the 3pt and line and hardly makes off ball cuts or gets involved in screens.

He's also one of the poor 3pt defense culprits.

[NetsJets]

Probably another loss but I hope I’m wrong.

[MGrand15]

Dinwiddie is bringing some of his issues on himself but I think our 2nd unit is a little unbalanced right now.

Dinwiddie/Temple/Nwaba/Rodi/DJ or Allen just isn't enough shooting. Defenses can key in on Spencer and the roll man. Not worried at all about Temple, Nwaba, or Rodi hurting them.

Kenny quickly adjusted the 2nd unit so Caris mostly plays in Temple's place. I think it's better. Even with their low percentages, teams respect Dinwiddie and LeVert but still it's a similar issue. That 2nd unit has cooked a couple of times so it's not all bad. I just think Kenny's going to end up having to go with Musa over Nwaba. We need a legit shooter there to really max out our offense.

I think Nwaba needs to be used like RHJ last year. If the team comes out flat or we badly need a strong wing defender, you throw him out there and let him run wild. I like the guy and his energy. I'd just prefer a shooter/passer at that spot.

[ecuhus1981]

Hopefully this game being on ESPN gives these guys extra motivation to lock in and not be so mfing sloppy.

Correctable stats that are gross to look at:

#1: 19.8 Turnovers per Game (28th)
#2: 9.7 Turnovers per Game from Bench Players (30th)
#3: 68.3% FT shooting (28th)
#4: 43.3% Opp 3P% (30th)

If we avg prob 15 turnovers instead of ~20 and shoot ~75% from the FT line, the Nets would be easily be 4-0 or 3-1 at the worst.

THe team is not that bad. There are some concerning things like PnR and Screen defense but nothing to get too worried about yet.

This is great context, thank you for data mining.

I do think that among those 4, opponent 3PT% is going to be the one that lingers with us. But bench turnovers are easily correctable. We're not running a sophisticated enough offense to merit that many TO's. And we have no bench players who simply MUST play; so if they're coughing up the rock, yank 'em, Kenny. It won't pay immediate dividends that game, but it'll send the message that being responsible and strong with the ball are of the utmost importance.

The other 3, we're better than how we've performed thus far. As you stated, improving those 3 will remove a ton of pressure.

[ecuhus1981]

Through 4 games, the Brooklyn Nets have looked, um, different than even the most pessimistic prognosticators predicted (say that 3 times fast!). It’s super early, and the losses haven’t been blowouts so there’s no need to overreact. But it’s fair to say that even the folks predicting 37-45 wouldn’t have thought we’d only win 1 of our first 4. They also wouldn’t have expected that holdovers on a team and system known for passing would lean so heavily on ISO’s, or that their new superstar would be the only one playing a Nets brand of sharing basketball.

We’re not a long way off anywhere except in defense. Thankfully, with an offense as potent as ours, we should be able to nurse along the D over the course of the season. On defense, we need to switch all screens, heat up passing lanes, close out on shooters and picked up dribbles, and communicate more. Oh, some toughness and pride about that end of the floor wouldn’t hurt either.

On offense, we have to pass and assist each other more in the perimeter without unforced turnovers. We also should post feed more, and when we drive, get all the way to the rim. That way, we force the opposition to foul or at least commit to drawing a double team. Let’s get into it:

JARRETT ALLEN VS. CLINT CAPELA – Are we seeing double for the 2nd game in a row? Jarrett is once again matched up with a popular archetype when comparing his ceiling. Energy and determination will win this matchup; unfortunately for us, those are Clint’s calling cards. Oh well, chalk it up to another teachable moment for Allen.

TAUREAN PRINCE VS. PJ TUCKER – Finally, a height matchup that favors Taurean! PJ is a fireplug who defends relentlessly, and adheres to his offensive role with religious zeal. He won’t even inbound the ball if it’s not the playcall!

[youtube=

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]“Coach said I can’t bring it up, so…”[/youtube]

All humor aside, this should be a fun matchup. PJ is great against typical 4’s, but struggles with the type of speed and ball-handling ability that Prince possesses. I’ll take youthful exuberance this time.

JOE HARRIS VS. DANUEL HOUSE – Harris is a tireless worker off-the-ball, but Danuel is great at chasing through screens. I see the system the defender slowing Joe down and daring him to dribble-drive. Me no likey.

CARIS LEVERT VS. JAMES HARDEN – Brooklyn, we (may) have a problem. The last thing CLV needs for his defensive confidence is matching up with an MVP and offensive machine, right? Maybe this elicits a fight-or-flight response, and he fights for his reputation against all odds. I *hope* that he uses this as a challenge, and takes on the responsibility of slowing down the most lethal scorer of our generation. We will need an off game from Harden in order to have a chance. The bad news is, he’s probably licking his chops at our defense.

KYRIE IRVING VS. RUSSELL WESTBROOK – This matchup probably matters more to RW than to KI, but I expect it to be contentious nonetheless. The key here will be Kyrie funneling Russell to help defense. THEN, that help D needs to contest the shot while not allowing a pocket pass. That’s a big ask, and I don’t see us turning around our team defense so quickly.

The benches look similarly nondescript, and both function above their perceived talent level. I’ve said before that I like our bench, but until we find a rhythm and work together like Houston’s, it will be a disadvantage.

D’Antoni is working on a magnum opus, if his system can support two of the most ball-dominant players in the league without imploding. So far, so good. The trick seems to be Russ leading the 1st half of possessions on the break, while JH gets to cook as the clock winds down. As for their defense, it’s as stifling as ever, with 2 ball-hawks on the wing now to convert sloppy passes into easy layups. Atkinson's system isn’t running nearly as effectively, and it starts at the top for accountability. As terrible as the Wizards are defensively, I think we’re a bit worse right now. And digging the ball out of our basket so much is going to make our offense look even worse. Sorry, on All Saint’s Day, I have a real All Hallows Eve outlook.

PREDICTION: NETS 101, ROCKETS 160

[Paradise]

It could be worse.

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[Paradise]

Wilson Chandler has been officially suspended. So, we could sign someone else until he’s cleared.

[ducler]

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[3pt_chucker]

Allen back in the starting lineup

[gigantes]

Closer look at our insane 3pt defending stats:

Opponents are shooting a league best 58.3% from 3 (3 att per game) when defenders are (tight) 2-4 ft away!
The league avg btw is 27.5% That is insane. Since 13-14, the highest that percentage has been is 37.3! You have to think that this number will fall back to normal levels. For comparison, last season teams shot 27.4% against the Nets from tight defending.

When Opponents are Open (4-6ft away) , they are shooting 40.5% (10.5 att per game) Last season(32% on 11 att)

When Opponents are Wide Open(6ft +), they are shooting 41.7% (18 att per game). Last season(37.4% on 15.7 att)

So basically this matches what the eye test feels like. We need to tighten up on our 3pt defense but opponents are simultaneously shooting lights out on 3 against us.

One would have to think this is just statistical anomalies and will fall down to earth as the season progresses.

Thank you for that; very interesting stuff.

I do wonder if there's more than just statistical anomalies going on, here. For one thing-- breaking it down by 'defender within X number of feet' doesn't tell you if a defender is in a real position to alter the shot, or is just sort of showing up there at the last moment. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm thinking our guys are moreso doing the latter.

Also, I would think that opponents' 3pt numbers would rise due to them being fresher and less harried. This might involve more than just our poor defense, but moreso our getting away from making the other team work when they're on the defensive end themselves. Because our team passing is also down this season, and our turnovers are up. Now it's true that we may be scoring at a high rate (thank you, isos!), but what if we're simultaneously not forcing defenses to work as hard as they did last season?

I'm thinking that would naturally leave the other team fresher when it came to their turn with the ball.

[gigantes]

Holy hell, we have one guy with an insane PER, and a bunch of others with absolutely dreadful numbers.

This shall not pass.