Pat Riley used to say no rebounds, no rings. The Nets are finding out no rebounds, no wins.
They have successfully run foes off the 3-point line (allowing the fewest in the NBA) and lured them into low-value mid-range shots (most in the league). But what the Nets can’t seem to buy is a defensive rebound when they need one.
“They’re getting to the rim too much. Part of that’s offensive rebounding: When you’re getting offensive rebounds, you’re getting rim shots,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We’re defending drives well, close-out defense is good, our one-on-one iso defense is good; [but] our rebounds are a big part of that.