Inside The Nets

Coach Jacque Vaughn revamps Nets' offensive strategy for 2023/24 season

The Nets are moving away from always running isolation plays.

Peter Sunjic

© Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
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Head coach Jacque Vaughn is in his first full season as the head tactician for the Brooklyn Nets. He took over from Steve Nash barely a month into the 2022/23 season when the team still had Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The Nets had a 20-10 record with two superstars and were perceived as a legitimate contender in the East. Yet, both players sought trades that resulted in the acquisition of Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Dorian Finney-Smith for the team. These massive changes have led coach Vaughn to make big changes to their offensive approach.

“Our terminology booklet has definitely increased last four days, and we’ve got two more days before we tip it off,” Vaughn said to the media. “Some of the things are entirely new that we put in; some are additions; some [are] continuity to some things we did last year but definitely a different look and play set than we had previously.”

Motion offense is better for Brooklyn

The Nets' options have evolved since the start of the 2022/23 season, moving away from relying solely on two elite isolation scorers. Brooklyn had the third-highest rate in iso plays last season, mostly because of KD and Kyrie.

Now, they will rely on other sets like the pick-and-roll and, most notably, motion offense. The Nets boast a roster of athletic players known for their off-ball movement, which will excel in Coach Vaughn's newly implemented offense.

As Ben Simmons takes on the role of the primary ball-handler, he aims to accelerate the tempo and excel in transition plays. The off-ball movement of Bridges and Johnson, who demonstrated proficiency in similar roles with the Phoenix Suns, will be pivotal to the Nets' new offense.

“When we had our previous group, it was probably smart to play iso basketball; those dudes shot at a high clip,” Vaughn opined. “This group has different talents: Mikal and CJ can cut off the basketball.”

Isolation won’t be entirely phased out

The Nets are not ruling out isolation plays entirely because they still have some players who thrive in those set plays. Cameron Thomas immediately comes to mind because he is a talented scorer when left on an island to operate. 

However, that is not the main mantra for the Nets offense anymore. Creating effective off-ball movement and generating opportunities for three-point shots will play a crucial role in developing highly effective offensive system, a transformation Coach Vaughn anticipates for the 2023/24 season.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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