The Nets have found themselves in a deep, deep hole with no way out. But it’s not all bad: their top overall pick, D’Angelo Russell is playing well and showing off his potential. The team finally picked up its first win on Saturday night against the Hornets thanks to a clutch performance from Spencer Dinwiddie..
The Brooklyn Nets are off to an abysmal start in the 2018-2019 NBA season, but that hasn’t stopped head coach Kenny Atkinson from continuing with his lineup. Despite Blake Griffin struggling mightily throughout the early months of the year, Nash has continued playing him at power forward and center over Jarrett Allen.
The “brooklyn nets starting lineup” is a recent controversy in the NBA. Steve Nash inexplicably refused to remove Blake Griffin from the Nets starting lineup despite his early-season woes.
In the early goings of the 2021-22 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets are failing to live up to their position as preseason championship contenders, and head coach Steve Nash is unwilling to even contemplate a move that would certainly maximize Brooklyn’s potential.
Blake Griffin has had a poor start to the season, but LaMarcus Aldridge offers the Nets significantly more output while he’s on the court. Nash, on the other hand, continues to display an excessive degree of loyalty to Griffin, jeopardizing Brooklyn’s prospects of gaining traction.
Blake Griffin will continue to be the starting point guard for Steve Nash.
The Nets are having trouble scoring the ball, and their offensive rating is just 22nd. So it’s only natural that Steve Nash would try to find new methods to make Brooklyn more exciting, right? It seems that this is open to interpretation.
Despite his problems, Nash claimed Sunday (h/t New York Post) that the Nets have no intentions to send Blake Griffin to the bench, noting that he wants to avoid altering player positions this early in the season.
“There are no plans to take Griffin out of the lineup.” We’re not really considering switching positions. BG has been effective there in the past for us, and LaMarcus is now successful coming off the bench. So there’s no need to make any major adjustments.”
–Steve Nash, as reported by the New York Post
Nash has said multiple times that his Nets squad would require time to adjust to their new surroundings in terms of chemistry and fitness. He also said that he believes Griffin is merely ironing out the wrinkles. It’s still early in the morning.
Nash’s hesitation to even contemplate putting Aldridge in the starting lineup, on the other hand, is baffling. The stats bear this out. If the Nets want to maximize their offensive potential and make James Harden and Kevin Durant even more dangerous, Aldridge’s place in the rotation should be expanded.
LaMarcus Aldridge has a huge advantage over Griffin when it comes to statistics.
On the offensive end of the court, LaMarcus Aldridge is significantly more impressionable than Blake Griffin.
When Aldridge is on the floor, the Nets have a fantastic offensive rating of 117.9 points per 100 possessions. When he sits, the number drops to 98.0. He’s scoring 12.7 points per game on 68 percent shooting while grabbing almost two offensive rebounds each game.
When Griffin is on the bench, the Nets have a greater offensive rating (105.4) than when he is in the game (104.8). Griffin also doesn’t seem to make Brooklyn’s defense any better. When Griffin or Aldrige is on the field, opponents have the same offensive rating (102.4).
Granted, Steve Nash is most likely attempting to keep Aldridge healthy. Last season, the seven-time All-Star quit the club due to heart issues. Doctors approved him to participate in the next 2021-22 season, allowing him to rejoin the Nets. Nash, on the other hand, is being cautious.
Aldridge averages slightly over 20 minutes of playing time each game. That’s significantly less time than he spent in Brooklyn last season, when he averaged over 26 minutes per game.
Nash could like what Aldridge brings to the Nets as a reserve. However, he would be better off beginning.
Nash has to be more willing to adjust his ways.
On June 19, 2021, Steve Nash gives Blake Griffin a high-five during a playoff game against the Milwaukee Bucks | Elsa/Getty Images
Steve Nash’s trust in Blake Griffin is admirable, but BG currently doesn’t provide the Nets with anything in the way of value.
Griffin’s post game has almost disappeared in recent years. He’s most suited as a floor-spacing forward who moves without the ball and runs the floor in transition. Griffin’s issue is that he doesn’t offer the Nets enough chances and has trouble shooting the ball.
From beyond the arc, the 32-year-old is 2-of-17. He’s just 6-of-15 from the free throw line. Those are both dreadful figures.
Aldridge, on the other hand, adds a new dimension to Brooklyn’s attack. He can score with his back to the hoop and is a dangerous midrange threat who can pick-and-pop his way to the basket. That’s the kind of player Harden and Durant need on the court, particularly with Kyrie Irving still out.
It’s fair to say that Aldridge is receiving more minutes than Griffin right now. Nash, on the other hand, should be more willing to give Aldridge as much time with the first team as possible. That seemingly little tweak might have a significant influence on the Nets.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
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