© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Why the Nets are giving up too many three-pointers this season
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The Brooklyn Nets have struggled to guard the opposing team this season, as they’re ranked 24th in defensive rating with 118.2. The Nets have a strong rim protector in Nic Claxton, but their primary struggles have been defending three-pointers.
These defensive issues have been a big reason they have lost games over the past month. Brooklyn ranks dead last over the past 14 games in opponent three-point percentage at 43.1%. This statistic is alarming because Coach Jacque Vaughn’s defensive scheme focuses on packing the paint.
“You gotta pick your poison. We gotta protect the rim first. So, right now, we didn’t do either tonight. They got to the rim on us, and they shot threes. Can’t do both,” Coach JV said after the loss to the Trail Blazers.
Nic Claxton is playing in a drop-defense scheme
In the 2022/23 season, Nic was an early-season candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. The Nets ran a switching defense, which maximized Claxton’s defensive skills, containing opposing ball-handlers with his superb feet work and length.
This season, Coach Vaughn opted for a drop defensive scheme that involves the big man dropping back to the paint in the pick-and-roll. That tests the ball-handler to shoot when the defender gets hit by a screen.
The Nets’ drop defense has hurt because the team concedes too many long-range shots. Many of Brooklyn’s losses have come because of the difference in three-pointers. Look at their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, where the opponents shot 20/38 from beyond the arc, while Brooklyn only shot 14/37.
In the game against the OKC Thunder, Nic was allowed to roam on defense, which worked wonders for Brooklyn. They won while limiting the Thunder to only nine makes from beyond the arc. That’s a promising result with a good defensive system that the coaching staff should revisit.
Teams are noticing the Nets’ defensive issues
This skid has shone a spotlight on Brooklyn’s defensive issues. The drop is getting exposed, and other teams are exploiting it because they know they can keep shooting.
It is up to Coach Vaughn and his staff to adjust to this attention. The players would love to make this adjustment, too, because they are tired of giving up too many three-pointers. As evidenced by the win against the Thunder, switching can work. JV has to adjust to which team the Nets are playing against and not stick with the drop in every game.
