The Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of preparing for the 2023-24 season and got their first look of their strengths and weaknesses in Monday‘s preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Aside from the usual rebounding woes of a team that is undersized, but athletic, there is a major flaw for the Nets on the offensive end.
Now that Brooklyn no longer has the services of superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets will need to find a way to be consistently good on the offensive end. While Brooklyn put up 126 points against the Lakers on Monday, one of the things that stood out from the game was the lack of spacing at times on the floor.
For players like Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, and Dennis Smith Jr., they will need space in the paint if they are able to drive to the rim effectively. However, since most of the players are new to the team along with the offensive scheme being new, it seems that the floor spacing is suboptimal.
Here’s what Vaughn had to say about the floor spacing after Monday’s preseason opener:
“Oh, it definitely needs to improve. I think that was one of the messages for that first group. We have an advantage: when the ball goes off the rim of having multiple guys who can rebound the basketball with that advantages, you might not get the outlet every single time. So, you got to learn how to run and run unselfishly without the basketball. That first group has that to learn for sure. I think we can use that as an advantage for us. But, the spacing starts as you flow into half court. And, then you got to be committed to give your teammate space. And when you don’t have the ball.”
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