Jordi Fernandez definitely put one Nets problem on blast.
The group’s first-year coach has proven early in his tenure that he’s not afraid to publicly name out issues that have to be addressed.
On Sunday evening, he was as animated as he has been all yr.
Fernandez lamented the Nets’ leaky protection after the group’s 118-113 loss to the Bucks at Barclays Heart.
They blew a 12-point lead late within the third quarter and later allowed the Bucks to attain 26 factors within the last six minutes of the sport.
He notably threatened that “if our guys who wear a Brooklyn Nets jersey don’t play harder defense, they don’t have a place in our roster.”
There’s good cause: The group’s protection has fallen aside.
The Nets have a 116.6 defensive score (factors allowed per 100 possessions) — sixth-worst within the NBA.
It has sunk different areas of optimism, just like the league’s Thirteenth-ranked offensive score at 113.1.
Taking a deeper look, one space stands out: 3-point protection.
The Bucks shot 15-for-31 from behind the arc in opposition to the Nets on Sunday — a stellar 48.4 %.
Dec. 8. NBAE through Getty Pictures
For the season, opponents are taking pictures 37 % from deep in opposition to the Nets, ninth-worst within the league.
However the Nets quit simply 35.3 3-point makes an attempt per sport, the fifth-fewest.
After they do quit 3-point seems, they’ve tended to be of top of the range.
“A lot of 3s,” Dennis Schroder stated after Sunday’s loss. “We didn’t get back with urgency. A lot of 3s were open. We gotta look at film and get better.”
In Sunday’s loss, Fernandez took blame for having his protection double-team Giannis Antetokounmpo late within the sport, which allowed him to kick out to open shooters behind the arc.
“You do it aggressive. You force the catch out, you come double with a good angle, you rotate with urgency,” Fernandez stated. “We did it in the first half, we defended the 3-point line. At that point, with the two-possession game, I own it — probably just stay home for a possession or two. And we got punished. We didn’t do what we were supposed to. What we did is stretches. We didn’t do consistently.”
The Nets have been higher inside.
They’re surrendering 48.7 factors per sport within the paint, 18th-most within the league.
It’s nonetheless beneath league common, however represents a greater mark than how they’re on the perimeter.
Nic Claxton getting his legs beneath him ought to solely assist with that.
He recorded a season-high 21 factors together with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, three steals and two blocks in Sunday’s loss and was plus-3.
And Dorian Finney-Smith’s return may help each inside and in opposition to photographs from deep together with his skill to protect each wings and bigs.
He returned on Sunday after lacking the earlier 4 video games with an ankle damage and recorded 9 factors, 4 rebounds, an help and a steal and was plus-2.
And, maybe most of all, Fernandez’s public problem can definitely assist.
“No defense to finish that third [quarter]. No defense to finish the fourth,” Fernandez stated. “That’s how you win and lose games in the NBA. … You look at the offensive line, it’s pretty good. It’s just our defense was worse than bad.”
The Nets admire Fernandez’s honesty.
“That’s what really good coaches do. They hold you accountable. They hold you to a high standard. They’re straightforward,” Claxton stated after the loss. “They tell you what they expect from you. That’s what we need, especially with a younger team. We definitely feed off of that.”
Following Sunday’s loss, the Nets could have 4 days off earlier than their subsequent sport in opposition to the Grizzlies in Memphis on Friday.
