Inside The Nets

Coach Vaughn loves having the two Dennises off the bench

Jacque loves having two playmakers off the bench.

Peter Sunjic

© Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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Based on the win over the Spurs, Coach Jacque Vaughn has a defined starting lineup with Ben Simmons as the point guard. The Aussie is arguably the best playmaker on the roster, but JV is also a big fan of his overall point guard rotation.

Brooklyn has Dennis Schroder and Dennis Smith Jr. as the backup playmakers. Coach Vaughn is glad to have a trio of reliable point guards who can play together if needed.

“That was me wanting to see that, so I subbed those two at the same time to come into the game to get a sense of ‘Can they play together?’ What the rhythm felt like, who was gonna bring it up, can they both defend bigger than their positions?” Vaughn said after practice ahead of the Celtics game. 

“You hope so, and that is where we’re hoping to make some money. Interesting as get whole, there were 240 minutes in the game that you got to divvy up between guys, and maximizing that will be a test for this group.”

The playmaking is higher with both Dennises

Schroder and Smith are talented players, especially with the ball in their hands. However, they have also shown they are not exclusively ball-handlers because they can thrive alongside each other. Smith is more of a cutter due to his athleticism, while Schroder is a solid spot-up shooter, hitting threes at a 35% clip.

With either Dennis on the court, the team will have shooters and an athletic big man to keep passing to. Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and Dorian Finney-Smith are reliable players who can shoot the lights out when needed.

Either Day’Ron Sharpe or Nic Claxton benefits from running pick-and-roll plays with the guards since they’re always ready for lob passes for them to catch and slam. This kind of offense makes the half-court system work better for Coach Vaughn after the struggles with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Both guards are good on defense

Despite both guards standing around 6’3”, that won’t be an issue when they’re on the floor. Schroder is a decent defender, and Smith is one of the best defenders in the league. The Nets are willing to give up size to the opponent because Coach Vaughn knows both Dennises are solid.

As the duo is productive on both ends of the floor, it’s an easy decision for Coach Vaughn to keep playing them together. It’s a positive sign for the Nets as they keep growing with this lineup.

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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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