Jacque Vaughn believes there are positive takeaways from the Nets' defensive struggles

Coach has put more context into what has happened with the Brooklyn Nets' defense during the 2023/24 season.

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Despite expectations of them being a solid defensive team, the Nets have struggled this season.

Before the 2023/24 season, the Brooklyn Nets were expected to be a superb defensive team. Their rotation features elite defenders such as Ben Simmons, Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton, and Dennis Smith Jr. However, they have faced plenty of injury troubles early on.

Head coach Jacque Vaughn has recently opened up about the team's defense, especially during their three-game losing streak that led to them losing against the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat.

"You gotta approach this thing similar to football sometimes. What are you gonna try to take away? The way our group is, the guys that are playing, I've gotta use what strengths they have until we're back whole and healthy," Vaughn said in a practice session presser. "So we have to pick our poison some nights. We've been rewarded and we've had to pay the costs some nights. That's just a part of it, especially the way we are right now."

Ben Simmons and Dennis Smith Jr's importance to the Nets

Defensively, only a few players can stay on the same level as Simmons and Smith. Ever since they debuted in the NBA, they have been phenomenal defenders, but they have been limited by their struggles with shooting. However, the duo has found optimal roles under coach Jacque Vaughn because earlier in the 2023/24 season, they were performing well.

Stability on the defensive end is crucial to any successful team, and the Nets are missing out there. Bridges and Claxton are carrying the defense at the momentum, but the former has responsibilities as the go-to scorer with Cameron Thomas still injured. That's why Ben and Dennis need to be healthy, as they're the significant stars on the defensive end.

Future DPOY Nic Claxton with a Block of The Year Nominee🔥🔥 #Netsworld pic.twitter.com/jxI6bArmup

— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) January 21, 2023

Other players can step up on defense

Aside from the team's defensive cogs, some players have the potential to become solid defenders. Cameron Johnson has shown some flashes of solid defense with his versatility in guarding guards to big men. At the same time, Day'Ron Sharpe has the potential to be a solid rim-protecting big akin to how Claxton plays.

This Nets team is still full of potential, and there will be legitimate progress for this team as long as they remain healthy and stay committed to what coach Vaughn has planned for the long-term future.

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