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The Brooklyn Nets had a season they ought to be proud of despite falling against the Milwaukee Bucks in Round 2 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. With Steve Nash at the helm, the Nets put together a super team that looked quite likely to win the championship.
Although the Nets did not go all the way this year, they had a decent run for a team that has not built enough chemistry. Nash was in his rookie season as a head coach and had to organize a team of superstars. Kevin Durant just returned from injury after missing the entire 2019-20 season, while James Harden joined midway through the season.
Given the conditions surrounding the Brooklyn Nets, the franchise did a great job in managing proceedings. Even though they did not reach the heights many expected them to, they remain the most feared team in the NBA at the moment.
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On that note, let's take a look at the top five things that went wrong for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020-21 NBA season.
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#1 Joe Harris was not reliable
Joe Harris was one of the best catch-and-shoot three-point shooters during the regular season. However, he struggled to find his range in the postseason, which cost the Brooklyn Nets dearly.
Harris was reliable and red-hot from downtown for the better part of the regular season. Apart from the power trio, he created another option for the Brooklyn Nets' offense, as he had a high chance of getting open looks.
The 29-year-old led the league in three-point shooting during the regular season (47.5%) and averaged 14.1 points. But his shooting accuracy dropped drastically in the second round of the playoffs.
After setting a franchise record for most threes in the first half of an NBA game against the Boston Celtics, he failed to maintain that level of productivity in the second round. His shooting was especially needed then, as Harden and Irving were sidelined due to injury.
#2 The Brooklyn Nets did not pay attention to defense
The Brooklyn Nets had the most lethal offensive unit in the league by a wide margin but were one of the worst defensive teams. They looked to continue outscoring the opposition; while that worked well during the regular season, that ploy didn't quite work out in the playoffs.
Their roster is built around offensive-minded individuals who are not considered defensive powerhouses. While the Brooklyn Nets led the league in offensive rating (118.3), they fared poorly in defense, as they finished the regular season ranked 23rd in defensive rating (113.8).
#3 The Brooklyn Nets were plagued with injuries
Injury was a key factor that played a significant role in the Brooklyn Nets' season. The team's power trio played only eight games together in the regular season, as it was difficult to keep them healthy at the same time.
The trend continued in the playoffs as well, as all three featured in only the first round. Harden exited Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals with a hamstring strain. In Game 4, Irving sustained a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Undoubtedly, a healthy Brooklyn Nets team can cause serious damage. It will be exciting to see how things pan out with the Nets in the new season.
#4 The Brooklyn Nets do not have depth in their frontcourt
The Brooklyn Nets' starting lineup consists of Joe Harris, Kevin Duran, and Blake Griffin. Outside of these players, their frontcourt is comprised of 34-year-old Jeff Green and Nicolas Claxton, who is in his sophomore year.
To achieve success, the Brooklyn Nets need to make additions to their roster with players that can keep the momentum going. While they do not have to be superstars, a supporting cast of athletic and experienced players could also suffice.
#5 Bench contribution
The Brooklyn Nets' bench was superb during the regular season and were able to continue their winning streak in the absence of their power trio. However, the bench took a back seat, and production dropped tremendously after at least two of the trio became available.
That was more apparent in the playoffs, especially in the second round where Kevin Durant had to play incredible minutes. It looked as though these athletes had lost confidence in their abilities and kept making passes to Durant.
Landry Shamet, who was sensational during the regular season, struggled in offense and defense. Although Claxton showed promise defensively, he's not an elite rim protector or scorer.
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