The Nets defense has collapsed since they replaced Jarrett Allen. And for the second game in a row, their former center returned to haunt them – and hold their paint.
The Nets exploded in the third quarter, falling 125-113 in Cleveland on Friday. And it was Allen who was at the center of the decisive race that blew the game wide open.
Oversized nets were destroyed 62-32 on the glass and exceeded 70-44 in the paint. They saw Allen score 19 points in 7 of 9 shots, mostly dunks – including a fierce one over Joe Harris. Kyrie Irving’s maximum play 38 was lost, sabotaged by the Nets’ inability to stop or take a board.
It’s been a recurring issue since they changed Allen to James Harden and formed Big 3 with Irving and Kevin Durant.
“Defense must be a priority. It will be what makes or breaks our season … and we need to improve, ”said Steve Nash.
“Without training time, with all the novelty and having three offensive weapons that are used to carrying an offensive task, it will take some time. I don’t know we can fix this in a few weeks. It is something that we must eliminate in any season – it will be a work in progress throughout the season and it must be our priority no. 1 “.
Harden (19 points, 11 assists) gave the Nets a 70-69 lead on a 3-step pointer with 7:47 left in the third. It was the last lead he would enjoy.
Looking to get a refund from the humiliating loss of two extra hours Wednesday at Cleveland – and playing without a break – the Nets backed a 20-5 closing game that represented the way this night went. .
Irving turned the ball around, failed to return to the defense and then received a technician in the game. Meanwhile, Allen finished the race with a quick two-on-one break, throwing down an alley-oop from Darius Garland. He left the Nets down 89-75, Allen’s megawatt smile telling the story of this game and his reward against the team that changed him.
The Nets’ field goal defense dropped from sixth best to 22nd in the first four games of that deal. A defensive rating that was 11th before losing to Allen was the 26th post-trade, coming Friday.
Hence the signing of Norvel Pelle, first reported by ESPN and confirmed by the Post. The arrival of the 6-foot-10, 231 pounder – pending the approval of health and safety protocols – offers the Nets a backup to DeAndre Jordan and greater rim protection.
Pelle averaged just 2.4 points and three rebounds in 24 games last season with the Sixers; but its 1.3 blocks in just 9.7 minutes and the 7-foot-3 3 wingspan will be useful.
At age 27, Pelle took a long, winding road to Brooklyn. Born in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, lived in the US Virgin Islands before settling in California.
The top center of national rivals in his class, Pelle became a professional and ended up playing in Taiwan, Beirut and Italy before finally reaching the NBA last season.
Now he will have the chance to fight for a place of rotation. Allen is missing, Nic Claxton is injured and Durant is the only other Net 6-foot-10.
Jeff Green and Reggie Perry are both 6-8, the first being a stretch-four and the second a raw choice in the second round.
As the Pelle agreement is not official, Nash did not talk about his blockage or getting help in the commercial market with their new exception for the disabled player.
“We need to improve and we need to look inside to improve,” Nash said. “If the composition of the list changes for the better in defense, it’s great; but I don’t think we can rely on that, because it might not be possible. It’s not like he’s falling from the trees for us to pick up guys who are going to change our defenses. Always look; That being said, we need to look inward and take responsibility and make it a priority and try to grow defensively. ”