Nets still have defensive woes to address despite positive preseason

The Nets just finished a 3-1 preseason that was encouraging, but had some warning signs and red flags. And most were on the defensive end of the floor.

Brooklyn spent the summer bolstering their attack and scored their way to three preseason wins. But sieve-like defense is a worry that could undercut any hope of a surprise season.

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“Yeah, that’ll be the most important thing. Offensively we’ll be able to score with the best of them,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “I think offensively is not a problem. [But] if we want to be good, then defensively we’ll have to lock in.”

Brooklyn Nets forward Julius Randle (30) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards center Deandre Ayton (8) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

That’s been the focus since they got shredded in their preseason finale in Miami, and that’s where it will stay right up until Wednesday’s opener against visiting Charlotte.

The Nets were disruptive in preseason victories over the Hornets and 76ers. But they had to overcome a horrid defensive first half to escape in Washington, and couldn’t buy a stop in Miami.

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“There’s been two games that we were an aggressive and ball-pressure defensive team where I thought we were pretty good,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “And then two games where we were a poor defensive team with our transition, our rim protection.

“We’ve got to decide who we want to be, and the things that we can control … and do it every game. Don’t rely on shot-making, on things that don’t really matter. Rely on things that are going to make you a winning team.”

Hannes Steinbach of the Hornets drives to the basket while guarded by Chaney Johnson Nets in the second half during their preseason game at Spectrum Center on October 06, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images

That ball pressure has been the deciding factor in when they’ve been stout vs. shredded.

The Nets finished the preseason second worst in the league in opponent field goal percentage (.498) and effective field goal percentage (.588).

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But their Defensive Rating wasn’t horrid, mainly because they were top 10 in…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nets-still-defensive-woes-address-015650405.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-17 01:56:00

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