Brooklyn Nets aren’t as overwhelming as their record may suggest

The Brooklyn Nets are far from the overwhelming contender that many expected them to be. 

The Brooklyn Nets are 17-7 through their first 24 games of the season and sit atop the Eastern Conference. But, there is some evidence that suggests that this team isn’t nearly as dangerous as their record currently indicates.

Splitting their season thus far into two groups – the first 12 games and the last 12 games – there are both reasons for optimism and concern for the Nets. Ultimately, the way you view Brooklyn will ultimately depend on what you believe more in as it regards this team – their improving offense or waning defense.

During the Nets’ first 12 games of the season, the Nets got off to an 8-4 start in which they sported a 105.8 offensive rating (21st ranked in the league), a 103.1 defensive rating (fifth-ranked in the league), and a 2.7 net rating (ninth-ranked overall).

Over the team’s last 12 games, it’s easy to see how the Nets have progressed overall. During their last 12 games, in which they have gone 9-3, the Nets have a 112.9 offensive rating (seventh-ranked in the league), a 108.4 defensive rating (ninth-ranked in the league), and a 4.5 net rating (ninth-ranked in the league).

While their defense has fallen off recently, their offensive has improved so much (likely due to the improved play of James Harden) that they really haven’t felt the fallout.

So the big question is whether you expect the Nets’ defense to continue to fall back to somewhere similar to where it was last season – a 113.1 defensive rating, ranked 22nd in the league – or if you believe that their offense is going to continue to elevate towards the top in the league.

Last season, the Nets did finish the regular season with the best offensive rating in the league but that was with Kyrie Irving. The expectation is that he’s not going to play at all this season, or at least that should be the expectation.

Without Kyrie and a superhuman Harden, the Nets are essentially betting on their defense to remain in the top 10 for them to be the overwhelming contender they expect to be this season. Quite frankly, I’m not sure that’s the best formula for success for Brooklyn. Especially considering that this team’s biggest weakness was defense to begin with.

The Nets are a good team. Right now, especially without Kyrie, they’re far from that great team many expected them to still be this season. The Nets might be ranked No. 1 in the East but they are a vulnerable contender that is surviving on something that might not be sustainable.