Inside The Nets

Nets' Head Coach Jacque Vaughn Stresses the Importance of Playing with Pace

Vaughn's emphasis on a high-paced playing style has faced challenges for the Brooklyn Nets in recent weeks.

Peter Sunjic

© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn has always wanted his team to play with pace. He made it a point during training camp and pre-season, but recently, the team has struggled to adapt that style due to notable absences.

In their latest matchup against the 76ers, the Nets predominantly operated in the half-court, restricting the efficiency of their offense. With a roster full of athletic players able to run in transition, the absence of their key playmaker, Ben Simmons, left the team appearing disoriented at times.

“I think it goes to us not playing in the full court. So when you play in the half court with teams, now you have to have multiple drive-and-kick opportunities when they have a big at the rim,” Vaughn said in his post-game presser following the blowout loss to Philadelphia. “The more you drive and kick, the more opportunities for you to turn the basketball over. Sometimes, it’s to your advantage but when you don’t execute, that allows them to have turnovers and enable them to run on us.”

The lack of playmakers

While Spencer Dinwiddie is doing his best to be the primary ball-handler, and offense initiator, he is not the ideal playmaker for this team. He leans towards being a scoring guard rather than a genuine point guard, unlike Simmons. Even his backup, Dennis Smith Jr., who was absent from the Philadelphia game, is better suited to operate within Vaughn’s high-paced system, at least as the one guard.

“I look at the analytics as soon as I go into the locker room, and again, our pace was in red. That's not good enough,” Vaughn said.

Simmons and Smith possess remarkable athleticism and a natural playmaking ability. They thrive in pushing the pace, aligning with Vaughn's vision for the team. Regrettably, injuries to both players forced the Nets to adopt a slower playing style. While they managed to capitalize on turnovers with 17 points, the limited production of 14 fast-break points remained a concern.

A potent offense makes the Nets Playoff contenders

As soon as the Nets become a healthier team, it will likely translate to more wins on the board.

Getting Cameron Thomas back is going to be beneficial, especially since he's the go-to player for the Nets to break through when their offense falters, as seen in the game against Philly.

A more dynamic offense holds the key to consistent success for Brooklyn. Fans eagerly anticipate the return of all players and their sustained health for the remainder of the season, recognizing the immense potential of this Nets team.

Ben Simmons Injury Update: Back Specialist Notes Simmons’ Injury "Not Catastrophic," Provides a Timeline of Recovery

Published
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.

Home/News