Brooklyn Nets vs New York Knicks Notes and Observations: 10-3-17

Welcome back to Brooklyn Nets basketball, folks! This preseason game versus the New York Knicks gave us our first semblance of observation for the 2017-18 Brooklyn Nets. Pleasantly, that premiere peek led to a 115-107 Nets victory across the bridge in Madison Square Garden. Of course, the preseason kickoff game brought some expected sloppiness and mistiming from players on both teams. However, some implications can be taken away from the night and victory to expound upon in later games.

Born to Run

The 2016-17 Brooklyn Nets under current head coach Kenny Atkinson completely revamped the old style of play under the previous coach Lionel Hollins, to indoctrinate a Rockets-esque system of high-tempo ball movement and early threes. They vaulted to the very top of the league in pace per 100 possessions and fourth in 3-point rate (via Basketball-Reference). If the Knicks game has any bearings, the Nets will not be falling from either of those rankings this coming season. 32 of the Nets’ 87 field goal attempts during the game came from beyond the arc, and many early in the shot clock. Brooklyn also maintained the similar emphasis on ball movement from last year with 10 different Nets recording an assist in the game. The issue of integrating quite a few new players into the roster, especially three new starters, led to frequent miscommunication in the quick-decision-reliant system and 17 turnovers overall. But that should be seen as standard fare for preseason.

Blinded By the Light

New franchise cornerstone D’Angelo Russell seems certain to have the greenest light in the New York City traffic system moving forward. Russell led the team with 14 field goal attempts in just 20 game-time minutes on his way to an efficient game-high of 19 points. Beyond just the volume, Russell seemed to have Atkinson’s permission to take pull-ups at will in the previously loathed midrange area.