Jacque Vaughn shares Nets' point of concern to address ahead of remaining road games

Coach JV wants the Nets to control the glass and clamp opponents' possessions.

© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets' previous three road games were a heck of a ride.

Upon being humiliatingly assaulted by the Sacramento Kings, the Nets bounced back with their biggest victory of the season against the Phoenix Suns. But 24 hours later, they were left running on fumes as the Denver Nuggets manhandled them throughout their entire play.

HE IS HIMWIDDIE pic.twitter.com/WFhBddse11

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 14, 2023

Brooklyn had no choice but to follow their grinding schedule. As such, they do aim to carry on the learnings of the key lapses they've sustained in hopes of coming out strong in the remaining two games of their five-game away trip.

Control the rebound, control the game

Head coach Jacque Vaughn argued that his team needs to prioritize securing the ball after what the past three games have shown them.

Both the Kings and the Suns have outrebounded the Nets. And while they were able to outlast the Nuggets on the boards (53-48), they couldn't contain the defending champs in converting shots via rebounding chances.

Facing the Golden State Warriors (47.3) and the Utah Jazz (46.7), which stand as the top three teams in rebounding averages league-wide, the Nets will be completely tested in crashing the boards and defending possessions.

"I think we have to take care of the basketball, that's one thing," Vaughn said. "You can't give good teams extra opportunities. The rebounding piece, even tonight, is the extra opportunities they got rebounding the basketball. Most good teams are going to capitalize on it and make you pay for it. So that piece we definitely have to be tuned in to."

Versatility is the key

If there are visible points of concern, Vaughn still reiterated that they have considerable advantages in their looming next two challenges.

Possessing a unique and moldable roster, Brooklyn has the versatility and pace to keep up with both the Dubs and the Jazz.

"Our ability to play fast, we can play fast against these Western Conference teams and play multiple lineups where we can shoot 40 threes like what we did [against Phoenix]," he said.

"That's possible. We can do it again. First in Golden State, then Utah. The ability to play with with each other and have different lineups out there and still be okay to both ends of the floor, I think we've proven we can do that. There's some positives and negatives, but I really look forward to the next two games."

The biggest takeaways from the Nets’ blowout loss to the Nuggets