Fansided · Dec 11, 2018
Brooklyn Nets: Defensive improvements masked by change of pace
The stat sheet shows the Brooklyn Nets have regressed defensively since last season, but a deeper dive finds that to be a product of the NBA’s changing pace.
The Brooklyn Nets are a better defensive team in 2018-19 than they were last season, even if the stat sheet doesn’t say so.
The improvements are marginal in many cases, but still present, just masked by the NBA’s much-increased pace of play this season.
Last season, the Nets surrendered an average of 110.3 points per game while finishing 28-54. This season after 28 games, Brooklyn has allowed 110.6 points per game en route to a record of 10-18.
That’s not marginally better, one could conclude. It’s actually marginally worse.