The Brooklyn Nets have defied the odds and had a promising start to the 2024-25 season. After eight games, the Nets possess a 4-4 record, which places them fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite Brooklyn maintaining themselves at the .500 mark, they have plenty of things to work on.
The Nets pulled off an impressive victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 4. Brooklyn's grit from the matchup caused Dorian Finney-Smith to send the stern message that the Nets are not to back taken lightly.
Brooklyn did two things well against the Grizzlies: they outshot Memphis on three-pointers 36.1 percent to 26.7 percent and put up a defensive effort that included forcing 14 turnovers. However, there was one area the Nets performed poorly in that captured the team's ongoing weakness.
Nets must improve in their battle on the boards
Brooklyn lost the rebounding battle to the Grizzlies 44-37 despite coming away with the victory. One reason Memphis had the advantage was the breakout performance of rookie center Zach Edey, who totaled 12 boards on the night. Yet, the Nets' struggle is not a one-time occurrence. It has been a devastating trend.
Through eight games, the Nets rank 29th in the NBA, second-to-last, in total rebounds per game, according to NBA.com
Brooklyn has only outrebounded two teams during their early matchups. The Nets won the boards battle 47-43 in their Oct. 27. win over the Milwaukee Bucks and outrebounded the Chicago Bulls 46-44 on Nov. 1. If Brooklyn wants to continue climbing the Eastern Conference ranks, they need to secure the ball better.
Center injuries are partially to blame for the Nets' reboudning woes. Nic Claxton came off the bench during Brooklyn's first seven games amid his recovery from a hamstring injury he suffered in preseason. In addition, Day'Ron Sharpe has yet to make his 2024-25 season debut due to his own battle with a hamstring ailment.
Outside of Claxton, Sharpe is Brooklyn's most important board crasher. He averaged 6.4 rebounds per game in just 15.1 minutes per contest in 2023-24. He was one of the top rebounders in the NBA off the bench, and the Nets need him to deliver again once he is fully healthy.
On the bright side, Brooklyn has Ben Simmons to help pick up the slack in Sharpe's absence, and with Claxton back in the starting lineup, the Nets should be stronger on the boards.
The Nets must clean up their rebounding effort to keep exceeding expectations during this exciting 2024-25 campaign.