Become a More Efficient Perimeter Shooting Team

Perimeter shooting is so essential to the Nets offense. Last season they put up the 2nd most threes in the league (2,924), but their accuracy from the area left a lot to be desired. Their 35.7% number was the 11th worst mark across the league.

Brooklyn also loves jacking up threes early in the shot clock. They’re one of four teams that launch more than six threes per game within the first 4-6 seconds of the shot clock. The problem with that is they are inefficient shots for this team. Unlike the 76ers, Rockets, and Warriors, Brooklyn shoots way under 37% when taking such jumpers. It’s a number even below their overall 3-point shooting percentage (34.8%).

For the Nets to become a playoff contender, their efficiency in that area must improve, or coach Atkinson needs to implement different schemes to allow for more effective shots from the perimeter. They’re much improved when taking such shots in catch and shoot situations (37.9%). All it takes is that extra pass and the Nets should see an uptake in their accuracy from the arc.  

The Nets will also be banking on improved seasons from the perimeter from key rotation players Allen Crabbe, D’Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert. Crabbe took 7.1 shots per game from the arc but was below his normal career average from the area: 39.7% to 37.8%. Crabbe really got into his groove late in the season after an interrupted training camp and start to the season.

The improvement internally from those players plus the addition of Napier, Dudley, and Graham should all help Brooklyn take a jump on the offensive end. If they can somehow jump into the top half of the league in 3-point percentage, then it’ll go a long way to them making the postseason.   

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