It’s going to take a while earlier than it appears to be like proper.
The Nets are sitting on an offense with new philosophies, a protection with new schemes and a roster with new key gamers getting into the rotation. With so many modifications made in the course of the offseason and coaching camp, the Nets had been sure to expertise some rising pains.
Nets head coach Steve Nash admitted the preseason opener was filled with them.
“We’ve got to go through this period where guys are learning to play with one another,” he stated. “It’s not always going to be pretty and it’s gonna be a little bit ugly at times… So being able to slog through that and stay positive while we do have some growing pains, it’s just a part of the process.”
Nash referred to as Monday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers “a mixed bag,” noting positives within the motion, tempo and understanding of the newly put in offense — whereas additionally citing room to enhance on the defensive finish.
The Nets misplaced to a 76ers workforce that rested 4 key gamers together with each Joel Embiid and James Harden, 127-108, in Ben Simmons’ debut in opposition to his former workforce. Each member of the Brooklyn Big 3 performed in 19 of the 24 first-half minutes earlier than sitting the second half.
In minutes the place Nash deployed a number of lineups with both one, two or all three of his stars on the ground, the Nets dug a 20-point gap by the 8:13 mark of the second quarter — after which sliced Philly’s result in simply three on the half behind 13 factors from Kevin Durant, 12 factors from Nic Claxton and 11 factors in a vibrant recreation for the newly acquired 3-and-D wing Royce O’Neale.
“Obviously, there were some ugly pockets of play, but there were also a lot of great stretches,” Nash stated after Wednesday’s apply on the HSS Training Facility in Industry City. “We got to see the veterans in the first half, and they had some moments where they found some synergy and got closer to the kind of the principles we assigned them with early in [training] camp. And so everyday, we’ve got to get a little bit better at that.”
The Nets, nonetheless, picked up the place they left off defensively final season.
The Sixers rested two potential MVP candidates, in addition to position gamers PJ Tucker and Danuel House, however the Nets couldn’t hold spry guard Tyrese Maxey in examine. Maxey had his approach with Brooklyn’s protection, scoring 20 factors in solely 14 minutes with solely two missed pictures on eight makes an attempt.
The Sixers as a workforce hung 42 factors on the Nets within the first quarter alone and handily gained the second half showdown between second items. Nash stated staying disciplined is the most important key to shoring up the defensive facet of the ball.
“Discipline, though, comes from prioritizing defense,” he stated. If you actually take it critically and also you wish to be a great defensive workforce otherwise you wish to defend, you’ll develop defensively. But if we let our foot off the fuel there or we aren’t diligent with the significance of that finish of the courtroom, we’re not going to get a lot better. So it’s actually on all of us to work collectively on a regular basis to prioritize protection and hold constructing.”
Nash recognized good well being as a vibrant spot thus far via coaching camp. Coming off of an harm riddled season, solely Seth Curry (ankle) and TJ Warren (foot) missed the preseason opener. Nash is hopeful Curry can be good to go for one of many remaining two preseason video games, however after lacking two seasons with stress fractures in his left foot, Warren’s ramp-up can be a bit extra cautious. He can be re-evaluated in November.
Aside from these two, the workforce is wholesome and out there: Simmons has returned after decrease again surgical procedure this offseason, Joe Harris has returned from two ankle surgical procedures that ended his season early final yr and Kyrie Irving is again to enjoying in residence video games after lacking a big chunk of final season attributable to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Claxton has additionally placed on extra muscle and has improved his conditioning in what Nash detailed as an offseason the place the fourth-year large man took “a more professional approach” to his craft.
“Right now we’re in a good position with our health, so you can see all the pieces and how they can eventually fit,” Nash stated. “Now we’re trying to work on how those pieces can gain that cohesion as soon as possible. I’ve got a lot of great clips of us sharing the ball, playing quickly, making quick decisions, and then defensively, just getting back to making it a priority. We’ve got a lot of offensive guys in our group, and making sure that defense is just as important.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com