Why NBA Teams Should Study The Nets Defense

The Brooklyn Nets didn't have the best season with Kyrie Irving injured, and a lackluster offense holding them back. But they did have the 8th ranked defense behind terrific rim protection and a unique defensive scheme. They play a lot like the Bucks and drop Jarrett Allen back in the pick and roll. In this video, I specifically talk about how they go under on ball screens and and leave poor shooters open like it's the NBA playoffs. Kenny Atkinson
Beat Credit: • Simple Rap Beat [xsTun...
Twitter Handle: / coachdaniel21

[@gremcilia_immermurin]

At this point, I'm convinced the best defensive scheme is basketball right now is just packing the paint and letting average 3-point shooters fire away.

[@ratedpending]

For real

[@ShaunhanM]

It isnt just about stopping shots at the tim, preventing kick outs to shooters is also a big part. The vast majority of the nba are much better off the catch. We will see how effective this is in the playoffs where almost every team has elite penetrators or off the dribble shooters

[@Gray-TV]

Its just the basic idea. Which one has higher percentage: far from the basket or near it? Then you'll know what to sacrifice... (especially defending fastbreak 2on1)

[@hectorandem2944]

A 3pt shot is always less likely to go in than a lay-up/floater (in spite of Curry and Klay trying their best to convince us otherwise). *However,* you're going to have a problem if said "average" shooter is above average of _getting to the rim_ and/or passing, which is why guys like LeBron and Westbrook can still create a lot of value (which teams like the Bucks must account for specially).

[@TheSodaShop]

That's always been the best strategy in my opinion. We would rather a jumpshot from average shooters than an easy bucket

[@raldinehenry9580]

I’d love to see the Thunder’s defensive scheme broken down, it’s intriguing how their offense and defense works with their 3 guard lineup.

[@Mr.Sax.]

SGA is a very big guard who can defend forwards, the end. It's not like they have 3 under 6'3" guys playing together.

[@coachdaniel8163]

My next video may be highlighting Lu Dort.

[@eitanweiner5006]

@@coachdaniel8163 please!

[@goldensperm7182]

@@Mr.Sax. dude don't forget cp3 he has a very underrated defense. He's actually really good at defending on and off the ball for his size

[@donzhang3444]

@@goldensperm7182 Ehh I don't think CP3's defense is underrated. I mean the guy is an 8 time All-Defensive team member. Any real ball fan knows how good he is.

[@eddiealford5514]

This dude had no business being fired

[@yunan9610]

He doesn't want to be there either, it was a mutual agreement

[@YankeeD23]

All pieces have to fit and work well together. If players don't respect their coach, which was likely the situation, then the coach has gotta go. It puts an awkward strain and unnecessary stress on both the players _and_ the coach. Players that have great respect for their coaches tend to yield greater results.

[@trextrex5297]

@@yunan9610 Only reason he didn't want to be there was because Kyrie and KD didn't like him. You think he's like yeah I don't want to coach this team I brought from the depths of hell that added two superstars. What an awful situation!

[@fruischian1883]

I disagree, Kenny should've been fired. Kenny's defense may have been great, but his offensive gameplan was terrible. He forced his players to only shoot 3 pointers or drive to the basket. Although this may seem like a good idea seeing as how he only encouraged high percentage shots, the Nets would constantly get exposed in 4th quarters where teams would completely ignore Jarrett Allen, because of how abysmal he was on offense. He forced players to shoot a ton of threes even though the Nets had a bunch of low percentages, high volume three-point shooters.

[@samig9032]

​@@fruischian1883​ Jarrett Allen's lack of skill on offense got amplified by the ISO-heavy style of play this season though. He's the best roll man on the team and a great finisher. If everyone stands around on offense, that kind of player isn't going to look good.

[@Jabbersac]

4:46 dear lord that shooting form is so broken it makes my eyes bleed

[@Carloslive-fc6uy]

But he really progressed from Back when he was a rookie 😂

[@SG-kw4pd]

It’s like in 2k when people change their release after every new video saying another is better. He just has to get is timing down and he will be greening

[@ench9024]

TLC is a very underrated defender since his rookie year in Phily (he was quite good off the bench, don't understand why he wasn't on a nba bench since this year with BK)

[@gerrymheliligan7718]

Facts bro! i love his energy!

[@dagzquerubin3490]

I always watch your vids and wait for that "Moooooving on" 😂

[@carlbancoro3042]

They're gonna miss Kenny Atkinson's defensive gameplans especially next year. Say what you want to say but having Kyrie and a recovering KD has to have consistent defenders around them and those are DJ, Jarrett Allen and Wilson Chandler. Especially if Joe Harris gets minutes alongside Kyrie and KD, they'd really need defensive adjustments

[@yey862]

I'm way too early to see comments that makes the video even better

[@frankwyabruh8263]

Lmao 4:48, that ball relise from Fultz tho 😂

[@denji5368]

Yeah but I feel bad for him. He's a great player and a number 1 pick but Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome did that to him. He can't even properly release a free throw now.

[@feedfrc6861]

That jumper is as broken as it gets.

[@Birdman32]

KD's Burner “Lmao” that misspelling of “release” though 😂

[@MrDodgerdodson]

I know this sounds crazy - but I'm still on the Fultz hype train. I think he can get better, and be a weapon. He's still only 22, he's a great passer and slasher, and from all accounts works extremely hard. I think he can still be great.

[@TheCriminalViolin]

This bound with your points about Christian Wood's defensive recognition when defending perimeter players giving space knowing his length is able to close out if needed, really makes me happy as a defensive specialist. I am huge on man to man D, but my style of it is expressed here in this video, effectively helping by stepping away from my guy, helping near the paint, then closing out immediately when I need to. It's super easy to do especially with my length and lack of athleticism.

[@andrewotero1838]

Your consistency in Like-To-Dislike Ratio is insane. 💪🏼🔥

[@restless__]

Their worst nightmare is the rockets 😂

[@James58262]

RondoIQ that makes no sense he’s saying their defense would not work well and harden would make lots of threes

[@jezreelpiccio3227]

Funny, because the Nets already beat them 2 times this season and winning the season series.

[@ybnbabam9607]

I’m a Nets fan be we did go 1-1 against the rockets

[@masonbaxter243]

nah when curry and klay back

[@albertshen1904]

The warriors actually did this to the rockets in game 7 (2018), and it made all the above 35% shooters shooting 0%.

[@obtin11]

I think it's also telling that the nets have a top ten defense without really having a team with top 10 defensive personnel. Especially in the backcourt and their lack of elite on-ball defenders.

[@6Hustles]

One of the best basketball analysts on KZbin. You keep getting better.

[@A_Goat]

Great analysis mate. I agree with this concept too. Better to prevent all the easy shots from the box, let them sweat the pressure of being unable to and forcing their hands at jumpers and 3s. Notice after almost every player shoots they stay there with their hands in the air waiting for the shot to go in. They always either stand there or then run backcourt for defense. It's an easy turn over and they do it willingly. Aswell as the fact that this instinct to shoot and not follow through with your shot or do anything at all essentially incompacitates any offensive shooter for a up to a few seconds and gives the defense the upper hand.

[@Raumance]

This is exactly the type of thing I wish I had access to 10 years ago when I started following NBA.

[@nblade66]

When the big drops so low, shouldn't there be a defensive 3 seconds called (or at least, it should be very easy for the offense to force a defensive 3 seconds, right?)

[@Solo2121]

Yes. I was screaming 3 seconds two min into the video and had to come to the comments to see if everyone was talking about it. The fact that I only see about 2 comments says it all lol.

[@shauryagiri3075]

@@Solo2121 The NBA doesn't call them very often anymore, probably coz they're too busy watching the ballhandler for reach-ins and stuff,which sucks. But I think a smart dropping big gets their foot out to the side frequently enough that they don't get called.

[@tnikoli40]

@@FirstNameLastName12345 a guy standing 20 feet from the screen is not involved

[@Carloslive-fc6uy]

Every time I watch a nets game I never really notice this defense 😂

[@jamvan1000]

He built that team from the ground up and is an amazing coach and still got fired smh

[@zubeirje]

They would get blown out if they used his defensive strategy against a team like Golden State

[@Kn1ght_Shade17]

Couldn't use it on Houston

[@rickchen0930]

Golden State has only two shooters. Steph and Klay. This strategy can easily be used on Golden State. You can leave Draymond and others wide open. Put all defense on the Steph and Klay.

[@Kn1ght_Shade17]

@Darryl Davis That was a one game freak. Not a basis for a legitimate strategy.

[@BubaruDelete]

This the exact strategy to beat shooter teams. People see Stephen and klay and think that 3ptrs are high percentage shots and they AREN'T. By design, the 3ball was created to alleviate paint pressure for easier drives. Golden state has NEVER won a game where they only scored off of threes. It's mathematically impractical. Imagine if you took away points curry scored in his mvp season that came from layups, he would average like 20pts a game, fouls included. Not saying it would be easy to stop GS , but it is possible and this is the game plan.

[@skwong94]

@Darryl Davis expect Rockets line ups to miss 37 wide open threes in a row, sounds like a plan, wonder why hasn't any team tried it after that game.

[@JAXXOGAMES]

2:18 he said doo doo

[@marcussantamaria552]

I'm no professional but it really seems like they bet on teams missing shots. This may work most of the time because the odds are in their favor but what happens when they're in a big game and the other team isn't missing. I don't hate the idea of betting on the other team missing shots, but their is some flaws in their system because of this.

[@rich9784]

As a nets fan I found this informative keep up the good work👍.

[@theifxxxx]

Counting the seconds on D Andre Jordan in the paint not guarding anyone...

[@alexprs1513]

As usual great video with comprehensive analysis! Well done💪

[@Ram-zc4fi]

Devonte Graham played 4 against the Nets and averaged 23 points on 38% from 3 (if you exclude the final game where he only shot 3 3 pointers and missed them all, he shot 50% from 3). Can’t say their go under strategy is all that effective against good 3pt shooting guards

[@darius6917]

0:48 defensive 78 second violtion mr jordan

[@thisismelv]

Zone is hard in the NBA since inside players can't stay in the paint. Props to Atkinson for his game plans though!

[@algm9167]

This seems to be a reaction to Houston-ish offenses in which all the points come from either from the 3p line or under 1 ft from the rime; it also reveals the overuse of role players, specialized in rebounds or defense,who are painfully bad at shooting from long distances or after dribble. IMHO this shows a lack of fundamentals in the NBA, but, hey, kudos to the Nets, and the Bucs, for being smart

[@yungtago9161]

Yeah that’s true. I think this proves why the midrange still has value as well, these type of schemes won’t work against a Kawhi or Chris Paul

[@HOLAHOLA-vh5de]

Video idea for you, worst offense teams and defense teams and what they do wrong

[@Jeypsism]

It's exactly different now 😅

[@krisskrosssss]

I’ve been saying for a long time Kenny Atkinson is such an underrated coach. Lmao Kyrie had to ruin what they had going for them. Whoever picks up Atkinson will be lucky to have him.

[@Rohan_Mehta]

He’s better as an assistant as his offensive sets are super dry and lack variety, that’s the main reason he isn’t the coach for nets. He should coach the Bulls tho cause they can’t defend anybody

[@flight23white73]

How did Kyrie ruin it

[@tomknox7425]

@@Rohan_Mehta while Kenny is not a genius when it comes to sets he played a pretty standard nba playbook. He just can't deal with the superstars yet. I think he'd be insanely good as a college coach.

[@donmike2810]

Who said kyrie did a anything?

[@logankandel846]

Kyrie wasn't even at that team meeting my dude. Don't be a sheep, don't blindly follow whatever the media tells you.

[@LeezyLazy]

Never expected this as a Nets fan!!!

[@jerwindemavibas881]

Thanks for this video. I'm re watching it because he is hired by the cavs

[@joezawinulreviewsandreacti2509]

I hate the idea of giving up so many open shots but it's smart depending on how it is

[@CzarsSalad]

whenever i watch a nets home game, i always think my TV screen is broken... just look at that ugly color of the floor.

[@pleasejustwin3965]

czars salad I like it, it’s different

[@James-su7vq]

Just to think their defence will be even better with adding durants defence and versatility to this, not to mention his offensive prowess

[@calogero100]

I guess Deandre Jordan is immune to a defensive 3 in the key call 😂

[@AllPraisesToTMH]

Dude was practicing social distancing while defending the pick and roll.

[@danedavenport5722]

Can you break down schemes from older teams like 80s and 90s or early 2000s

[@notacat7127]

Please no I’ll fall asleep

[@brown9671]

id love to see a great shooter in the zone against them

[@lukekintsukuroi2383]

I'm new to watching basketball and your videos are very helpful for someone who never played the game. Am I correct to conclude that their scheme of going deep with a rim protector was not well suited to defend teams with multiple good shooters like the Warriors or the Rockets of a few years ago?

[@jamesmcnaughton9939]

Dj really doesn’t waste a step

[@blacksheep924]

Yes respect, I liked coach Atkinson. I hope we can keep up the same defense without him.

[@joncoda365]

Jesus... What the hell is up with Fultz's jumper? 4:46 Looks like Barkley playing golf.

[@ehodge1439]

It will be interesting to see if they keep the same defense philosophy with the new coach.

[@LeaFarNas802]

Goodluck for unders if Klay & Steph are on fire.

[@jethergomez6087]

The person below me is now happy and has emotions

[@Aaron-nm1ob]

DeAndre Jordan gets away with more Lane violations than any player I've ever seen. Never called

[@pitakon]

Best court color scheme

[@pietrogiova]

But for the guys ignored on the perimeter, why do not just cut? You became a treat near the rim

[@caseypeanuts3222]

Man I really hope the Knicks can get Kenny. Mitchell Robinson would thrive with more minutes and an even higher role protecting the paint.

[@armin38822]

I understand giving up the mid range but that's untill you play a guy like KD or even CP3. Those guy will make most of their midrange shots when they are open. Or even Kawhi. Do they give midrange shots even to those guys ? Also,isn't it logical to ''leave'' bad to under avearge shooters open on 3 poiniters to take away drives to the paint ? Sometimes bad shooters have even a harder time shooting when they are open.

[@rickkinsman7400]

What is happening is that the NBA is drifting back to what is essentially a classic zone defence. Look at the frozen video shots and tell me the defensive team is not in a classic zone defence set up. A couple of switches here and there don't make this a 1 on 1 game. It's just lazy coaching and siege mentality. And now they don't even bother breaking the zone to pressure the outside shooters. They just let them shoot and hope they miss.

[@matthewboettcher6346]

If they start hitting lots of threes you have to make an adjustment you can't just do the same thing

[@Whiteguyvideogames]

As a Nets fan, I have noticed this defensive pattern and I'm not a big fan of it to be honest. Jordan gets exposed every time by stretch fives and small ball lineups since he never moves from the paint. Literally creates a 2 on 1 PnR every time.

[@dropoff2986]

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have got to be the most sensitive, emotional, low career decision IQ superstars I’ve ever witnessed in my life. First Kyrie leaves LeBron and a chance at another potential championship in Cleveland, all because he wanted to be the felt he was being treated like a “little brother” and wanted to be the first option. Then KD leaves Russ hanging in OKC after making a finals in 08’, then almost making it on ‘16... Afterwards he signs with one of the best teams of all time, wins 2 back to back, then leaves because “he didn’t feel wanted or like he belonged”... And on top of all of that , they both go to Brooklyn and get one of the best new /up and coming defensive minded coaches fired, because they didn’t “feel” like he was the coach to put them over the top. Lmao. Those 2 are some real life emotional clowns. Way to invested in their “feelings”. They are successful young men and are well educated... but damn, their career decision making makes them seem dumb as rocks. They belong together.

[@fireryninja1894]

Kyrie left because he found out he was gonna be traded for pieces and wanted to move to a team of his choice rather than ending up with no future, and it worked for him because he made playoffs both years. Whether or not Kyrie demanded a trade didn't matter, he was gonna be of the roster for the next season

[@BubaruDelete]

@Kevin Huang facts. Kyrie with Lebron and love should have been leading the league in assists. He draws so much defense it would be a turkey shoot every time he drove but he want to play 2 guard .

[@keem.9103]

More that I’m seeing this the more I’m struggling to see how the warriors won’t take advantage of this next season. If the bucks or nets face up against the warriors I could see the warriors taking it. Can’t go under with Steph or klay or even Wiggins’s now.

[@Kirbystare1992]

That’s the only team though

[@TheBadgerInMinecraft]

Kirbystare1992 rockets? Lakers have some good shooters so so the clippers. Bucks have shooters besides Giannis

[@abouttime5000]

The Warriors are finished. Green will be the final nail in their coffin. His antics are team destroying now.

[@keem.9103]

About Time bro you’re on one, they still have a superstar and two all stars and a top 5 draft pick. They ain’t finished but sure.

[@lagpc2952]

I sure do want next season to start when the warriors are playing again but with steph and klay. I watched this vid and the bucks, and the raptors one and im very interested how they would adjust their normal defense style against the warriors

[@Mr1n0d]

I wonder how this "protect the paint-goes under screens" worked vs jump shooting teams like HOU or GSW

[@thanhhuuvu2617]

Daniel, is the data from Second Spectrum is available for public to download? This is a such a great well-explained video. Thank you

[@coachdaniel8163]

Your welcome, and unfortunately no, I have access to some stats through someone I know in the league.

[@CholeloAlmendras]

How will the ners defend the small ball?🤔. I think this type of defense is bad against houston

[@dorkk5431]

Can someone explain to me why teams change defensive strategy specifically for playoffs? Is it just so they don’t show all their cards until playoffs?

[@rasaecnai]

I think mainly its the preparation time. You have time to prepare a team specific strategy in the playoff because you gonna be playing only one team. This means a team can make adjustments based on what went on the previous game. On regular season, a team faces different team every night to must be difficult to prepare a team specific defensive scheme especially on the road and you only have the game to make adjustments on the fly. That's just my opinion though.

[@K_DC]

While I favor defense and I feel players should feel empowered to play more defense and clog the lane. In the first few clips, Refs are ball watching and didn't call the clear def 3 sec. If NBA have these rules, they should be called consistently and not used sparingly like it's point shaving.

[@anilnanton2817]

Nearly all of those DeAndre plays are 3 seconds

[@BrendansReasons]

The Heat re-popularized the zone last year by shutting down Milwaukee with it

[@MC-dm5mm]

Didn't the nets fire their coach?

[@justsay_p]

Coach Daniel here exposing NBA teams😂

[@riccardoorsili2676]

Italian guy here, we don’t have the 3sec rule in the paint, but don’t u? Jordan seems that plays all the 24sec of the defense inside..

[@christianmak5188]

you can have one foot in for as long as you want. also if they is an offensive player in the paint the 3 sec resets

[@riccardoorsili2676]

Christian Mak Thanks for the explanation mate

[@Solo2121]

@@christianmak5188 That is wrong. You cannot have one foot in as long as you want. You need to "completely clear" the lane to restart it (quote from the NBA rule book). And you are also wrong about an offensive player being in the lane resetting it. It doesn't matter if they are in the lane or not, the defender needs to be "actively guarding an opponent . Actively guarding means being within arm’s length of an offensive player and in a guarding position." Again quoted from the rule book. So @Riccardo Orsili , yes Jordan was clearly committing defensive 3 second violations.

[@bigjax731]

Great video

[@denji5368]

No 3 second violation?

[@vjrn9945]

I'm pretty sure Daniel didn't show any clips of the Nets versing the Warriors with Curry correct me if im wrong

[@zzzoro3418]

How come 5seconds violation wasnt called at 1:47? Enlighten me

[@Bear0000]

You should be an ESPN analyst ngl

[@victorunger]

He's too good. Nothing he says can really be argued against or even misconstrued. Also there's no hot takes.

[@defnotnath4nie129]

clippers defensive breakdown? i didnt get to watch many games but i know they have some of the best defenders in the league with kawhi paul george pat bev (debatable) and solid bench players

[@anesu846]

As a Nets fan my first thought was are you kidding. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised

[@briansuk0237]

NG23 mee too

[@abouttime5000]

Once again the Raptors are not discussed. They are by far the most ingenious defensive team in the league. Undersized but play as a unit.

[@aaronxa3665]

Would love to see what your thoughts are on the Sixers’ coaching and who u think would be a good replacement for Brett Brown...

[@jojoprocess2820]

Theirs really nobody good right now to replace him. Maybe if D'antonti gets fired for his China tweet then he'd be a good pickup

[@futurehofer1564]

Idk why the Nets fired him, I dont think it was a good decision

[@pleasejustwin3965]

future hofer hopefully we still run some of the same schemes with a new coach

[@AllPraisesToTMH]

He was a bad coach in the 4th quarter. That Nets team really should have 10 more games, including those games with Kyrie.

[@jamesmorris1791]

Horrible 4th quarter coach, and he had some of the worst rotations I’ve ever seen

[@kraisonpetrovdo7891]

for sure ?

[@iceeey8069]

honestly this guy just tells us to studies all teams defense

[@declanz.5384]

The non shooter is me. Me sukk at shooting

[@mikepomatto4287]

So, the NBA version of Pack Line

[@arveentures17]

Can you do analysis of the Boston Celtics defense? Thanks!

[@RennWickam]

Can you talk about the Clippers defensive scheme? I'm curious how they can have such a good at the rim defense with only one real rim ptotector in Zubac

[@carlobarley1985]

guessing the counter is opposing teams play a big man who can stretch the floor? porzingis?

[@Joe-vc2jk]

Man I’m gonna miss kenny😔

[@prayworldpeace3517]

This defense scheme will have issue against fully stacked Warriors

[@stephenlaroco0421]

Isnt that allowed to stay 3 secs in the paint?

[@starkk19]

Quite ironic that we're supposed to be in an era where the 3 is the king but the best defensive teams are those teams that allow more 3s and prioritize rim defense. Still waiting to see how these teams will defend the Warriors once Steph and Klay are back.

[@luke7277]

They'll stick to Curry and Klay but they'll leave Draymond and probably let Wiggins shoot as well

[@yesmymajestybut898]

Interested in how they guard the Rockets, basically all above-meh to great shooters.

[@weneedhim526]

nets would struggle with warriors, rockets, and clippers a lot

[@speccyneek]

I'm not well versed in all the rules of basketball but isn't it a Def 3 sec Violation on Jordan at 0:47

[@paulopelaez7017]

Breakdown on Dames game!!

[@futurehofer1564]

Did this scheme change with the interim head coach or not?

[@rwndae]

Why basketball teams should study the nets like they did with the bucks

[@bigmonster610]

That's a good scheme, but again most of examples were agianst mediocre or bad teams. Those teams don't follow principals and that's why they fail. If you rescreen below 3pt line and ball handler is a threat you can't go under again. Also many better teams know the simple concept of cutting. That's the way to beat that gap coverage and even on this vid there was an example of langford cutting, but he fumbled the ball. I think they should play more agressive to prevent avalanche of threes, especially having in their lineup two great shot blockers

[@Gray-TV]

thanks

[@loppppppppppp]

Lets go nets

[@wavemaker2077]

I think leaving a non-shooter open is a standard strategy in the NBA. All the teams in the NBA do it.

[@mvdcontreras]

Good video, but I have a question. Don't refs call defensive 3-second violations on this zone defensive scheme?

[@coachdaniel8163]

Refs don't really call 3 seconds that often to be honest.

[@TheNamesDitto]

Man. They really should've kept Kenny.

[@deandrepage1048]

Brook Lopez-style "Drop Defense. "