Where and How to Attack the Brooklyn Nets in 2012-13

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Nov 292012
 

The Brooklyn Nets are off to a fast start at 10-4, tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with the New York Knicks.

They have received great play from their refurbished bench, as well as from Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. Joe Johnson is working his way back to his old form after struggling with his shot early on, and Kris Humphries has seen a slight regression is his scoring due to the overall improvement of the team on the offensive end of the court. 

Opposing teams have yet to figure out a surefire way of beating the Nets, but there’s one glaring weakness that the opposition needs to learn to attack.

Lopez and Humphries, while they are capable of holding their own on the offensive side of the ball, aren’t exactly the greatest post defenders.

Lopez is notorious for not playing defense or rebounding well, while Humphries is a solid rebounder that lacks in overall defense.

Attacking the Nets inside is something that all teams should try to do—regardless of their talent level at power forward and center.

Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers for example.

Anderson Varejao had the night of his career on November 13 against the Nets. He scored 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, primarily being matched up with Lopez.

It was Varejao‘s sixth—yes, sixth—career 20-point game. That’s over a nine-year NBA career.

Varejao isn’t exactly a dominant offensive force in the paint (he’s averaged just 7.5 points per game over the course of his career). His outburst earlier in the month is further proof that the Nets can’t handle aggressive big men.

In the Nets’ most recent game against the Boston Celtics, they were unable to slow down big men Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett.

While neither of them necessarily “went off,” they each dropped 16 points on over 50 percent shooting. 

The Nets are giving centers and power forwards too many easy looks and wide open lanes to the basket, making it an easy weakness to exploit. Opposing teams need to start taking advantage of that and working the ball inside against Brooklyn. As of right now, they just aren’t able to stop it.

Read more Brooklyn Nets news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

How Joe Johnson Can Get Back on Track for Brooklyn Nets

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Nov 282012
 

What’s wrong with Joe Johnson?

With his myriad issues so far this season, perhaps asking “What’s right with Joe Johnson?” would be the more appropriate question. The Brooklyn Nets‘ shooting guard is averaging just over 15 points per game, and his shooting percentage (39.2 percent) is lower than it has ever been since he became a full-time starter back in 2003.

And it isn’t just Johnson’s scoring that has regressed: His per-36 minute averages in rebounds, assists and steals have all declined this year.

This is, of course, the first time in eight seasons where Johnson wasn’t expected to be the alpha male for his team’s offense. As a result of the July trade that sent him to Brooklyn, Johnson was forced to assume more of a complementary role that will take some time to get used to.

He’s no longer “Iso-Joe”, nor should he be on a team that boasts Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, who happen to be two more-than-capable offensive options. Johnson’s usage rate in Atlanta was no lower than 24.6 during his seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks—if he approaches that number in Brooklyn (he’s currently at 20.9), it probably won’t result in great things for the Nets.

“I’ll get a lot more open shots than what I’m accustomed to,” said Johnson prior to the season in an interview with Howard Beck The New York Times. “I think this will pay big dividends for us, man.”

And while the Barclays Center is named after an organization that deals with dividends on a daily basis, the basketball team that calls the building its home has yet to see much of a return on its summertime investment.

Part of the problem is that the Nets don’t use Johnson often enough in his natural position. In three of Brooklyn’s five most frequently used lineups, Johnson serves as the de facto small forward. And while he’s capable of playing the 3, he’s far less effective on both offense and defense according to analysis done by 82games.com. Johnson’s Player Efficiency Rating is a solid 16.0 as a shooting guard, and only 9.5 as a small forward.

Of course, his slow start could merely just be a regression from the mean. Johnson may be a six-time All-Star, but that doesn’t mean that he’s immune from having a shooting slump. The former Hawks standout shot 36.4 percent through first 10 games, but has rebounded fairly well over the past three contests, shooting 21-for-43 from the field (48.8 percent).

“It’s coming,” said Johnson in an interview with Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York. “I’m just trying to take what the defense is giving me.”

So how can Johnson speed up the process?

For starters, he needs to fall out of love with the mid-range jumper. Johnson’s field goal attempts at every distance have declined this season with the exception of the jump shots that he has taken from 10-15 feet. Those are naturally low percentage tries for most NBA players, so it’s not surprising that he’s only converting those at a 32 percent clip.

Even more troubling is his lack of shots while in the restricted area. Three seasons ago, Johnson attempted 3.7 shots at the rim per night. In 2012-13, that number is down to just 1.5 per game.

At 6’7″, 240 pounds, Johnson is physically more imposing than the majority of defenders assigned to check him on a nightly basis. The Nets could easily draw up a few sets that would allow Johnson to use his size to his advantage in the post. Atlanta frequently had Johnson set up on the block against smaller shooting guards, so asking him to play with his back to the basket should be somewhat natural, especially since he averaged 1.01 points per possession in post-up situations last season (per Synergy Sports).

Johnson’s shooting chart shows that he’s struggling from pretty much everywhere on the floor this season. But if the Nets make it a point to get him better, higher-percentage shots early in games, Johnson will have the confidence to knock down the jumpers that have become his trademark.

Getting their star shooting guard on track as soon as possible should be the Nets’ No. 1 priority. Despite his struggles, Brooklyn averages 6.3 additional points per 100 possessions with Johnson on the floor, even when factoring in his suspect defense.

And that defense will likely be improved once he’s more engaged on the offensive end of the court. It’s not a coincidence that Johnson’s Defensive Win Shares this season (0.2) are a career low (via basketball-reference.com).

“He’s going to be fine,” said Nets’ head coach Avery Johnson, while speaking to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “Hopefully we’ll do a better job of getting [him] involved earlier in games.”

(Note: All statistics are accurate as of Nov. 27)

Read more Brooklyn Nets news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

The 10-man rotation, starring the strangest and most wonderful Dikembe Mutombo video game yet (Ball Don’t Lie)

 LA Clippers  No Responses »
Nov 232012
 

A look around the league and the web that covers it. It’s also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren’t always listed in order of importance. That’s for you, dear reader, to figure out.
C : Old Spice Saves the World . Not sure if this Dikembe Mutombo video game is the best thing in the world or the third-best thing in the world, but it is a thing in the world that Dikembe Mutombo is trying to save. If you are at work, music will play when you click the link, heads-up.
PF : SB Nation . A year later, the 2011 NBA lockout stands as an economy-draining waste of time.
SF : NBA.com . The Charlotte Bobcats could match and surpass their 2011-12 win totals this weekend.
SG : The Brooklyn Game . The Nets experiment, after 10 games. Fine read. Hurry back Joe Johnson.
PG : Everything and Nothing . ‘George Karl Has Never Been a Good Coach.’ OK.

Go to Source

How to Concentrate the Most Brooklyn Nets Firepower into Reliable Late-Game Unit

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Nov 202012
 

The Brooklyn Nets have won five straight games, and much of that has to do with their ability to score a ton of points. They currently average 97.5 points per game and sports a plus-five point differential.

Three starters are currently averaging at least 16.0 points per game—Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez—and Kris Humphries is averaging double figures with 10.0 points per game.

The Nets wins have come in games where they’ve been outscoring their opponents by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, so they haven’t really had all too many games where they’ve had to play catch-up.

Because of this, they haven’t had to play with a potent offense in the fourth. Their current late-game unit is reliable as an all-around group, but there’s a different combination that could be even more potent.

Williams would still be the late-game point guard. He is the team leader on offense, and can run the pick-and-roll with Lopez to perfection. He is also the team’s best passer, and that is a necessity in late game situations.

He’s the team’s second-leading scorer at 18.6 points per game. He also shoots 88 percent from the free-throw line. Having clutch shooters from the stripe is essential in the fourth quarter.

The offense should run through Williams in late-game situations.

At shooting guard, there should be a slight change. MarShon Brooks is one of the best up-and-coming pure scorers in the NBA. His ability to create shots and score from nearly everywhere on the floor would be key in clutch situations.

He’s seen limited playing time lately and is only averaging 8.0 points per game. His dynamic play is too valuable to leave on the bench when in need of a bucket, so he’d have to be a part of this potent unit.

Joe Johnson would slide over to small forward to make room for Brooks. Johnson has struggled with his shot early on—he’s only shooting 36 percent from the floor—but he’s still averaging 16.0 points per game.

The Nets keep feeding him the ball, and it’s only a matter of time before he catches fire.

Johnson is also a very clutch performer. Last season, in the final five minutes of games, Johnson’s shooting percentage went from 43 to 49 percent and his offensive rating improved from 101.8 to 113.8.

Johnson needs to be in the lineup in clutch spots.

Power forward for the Nets has primarily been reserved for strong rebounders. Both Humphries and reserve Reggie Evans have been dominant rebounders relative to their playing time.

As the starter, Humphries has averaged 11.6 per game. Off the bench, Evans has 6.8 per game.

In late situations, the unit with the most firepower would not include either. Andray Blatche, the reserve center, has earned himself the right to play in clutch situations.

Coming off the bench, Blatche has dropped 11.8 points per game. While not a typical center, his skills translate well to the four.

He shoots 46 percent from the floor, mostly relying on mid-range jumpers. Given some more playing time, he could average 15.0 points per game.

A controversial signing in the beginning, Blatche has earned himself a prominent role on this team.

At center, none other than Lopez should be in the game in the fourth. He is the team’s leading scorer (18.8 points per game), and is shooting a fantastic 53 percent from the floor.

He has really stepped up big time this season, and could potentially be on his way to his first career All-Star game.

Having a presence in the paint is essential during games, especially during the fourth quarter. With Lopez in the game, there’s always an opportunity to score.

The Nets have been playing well early on. They’re 6-2 and looking to be in good shape in the Eastern Conference. That being said, it’d be smart to have a dominant late-game unit prepared on the off chance that they need some quick points.

This group can get the job done.

Read more Brooklyn Nets news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

Joe Johnson’s Heroics Making Nets GM Billy King Look Like a Genius

 Brooklyn  No Responses »
Nov 162012
 

The Brooklyn Nets are on a four-game winning streak, and the man to thank for it is Joe Johnson.

Over the team’s past two games, Johnson has scored 23 points in the fourth quarter. He has made some clutch shots and his jump shot appears to have returned after a slow start to the season.

Considering how GM Billy King acquired Johnson from the Atlanta Hawks to convince Deron Williams to re-sign with the Nets, and with the Nets playing some amazing basketball thanks to Johnson’s heroics, the man is making a strong case for Executive of the Year. Given how much the Nets gave up in agreeing to take on the four years and $89.3 million on Johnson’s contract, it wouldn’t be farfetched to call King a genius.

Look at it this way. Prior to the Johnson trade, the Nets were in competition with Williams’ hometown Dallas Mavericks for the All-Star point guard’s services. It was an interesting situation, as Williams was frustrated with the lack of talent surrounding him on the Nets.

Long story short, he didn’t have much incentive to stay.

King realized that Williams was the key to the franchise’s future success, particularly with the impending move to Brooklyn. Without giving him a reason to stick around, not to mention the other impending free agents, the new team would essentially be a bunch of reserves moving into an expensive new arena.

Putting fans in the seats would be borderline impossible.

Thus, King took action. The day before NBA free agency was set to begin, he acquired Johnson and sent the following to Atlanta: guards Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow and DeShawn Stevenson, forward Jordan Williams, center Johan Petro and draft picks.

Sure enough, Johnson was King’s key selling point in getting Williams to stay (via Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports). He now had a fine shooter to complement his fine passing game. The rest of the Nets’ free agents soon followed in re-signing with the team, namely Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries.

Johnson got off to a slow start in Brooklyn, shooting just 36 percent from the field over the first five games of the season. But his fourth-quarter performances each of the past two games are a testament to how well he can perform in Brooklyn.

He’s realizing that he isn’t there to be the star of the Nets, but rather just someone to give Williams some help in the scoring department, where help had been lacking last season.

As a result, despite that slow start, the Nets are playing great basketball even though they are still an underdog team.

Keep in mind, despite their streak, the Nets are still a young and inexperienced team. However, the fact remains that they still beat the experienced Boston Celtics Thursday night, and a good portion of thanks is owed to Johnson.

When Johnson entered the game in the fourth quarter, his team was down by one point with just under nine minutes to go. After two Boston baskets, he sunk a jumper of his own to close the margin to three.

Jerry Stackhouse would tie the game with a three and Lopez would tie it again with shot of his own, with Johnson getting the assist this time. With the score tied at 87, both teams went cold for two minutes.

Suddenly, at the three-minute mark, Johnson sunk a jumper to give the Nets the lead and hit another one 30 seconds later to extend it. Long story short, he was doing just what King brought him in to do.

That all being said, it can be argued that the whole reason the Nets are doing so well thus far is because of Joe Johnson. All fourth-quarter heroics aside, the team would not be where it is in the standings today were he not on the team. More importantly, key players like Williams, Wallace and Lopez might not even be on the Nets had this trade not taken place.

King saw that he had to save the team, and made an unconventional move in order to do so. Any other GM would have cringed at the idea of taking on such a heavy contract, but King saw it was necessary in order to ensure the Nets’ future.

Given Brooklyn’s record thus far, it’s time to give him and Johnson their due recognition for all they have done to help the team.

Read more Brooklyn Nets news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

 Older Entries