National Basketball Association

Brooklyn Nets: Three-Point Shooting is Becoming Prevalent

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Brooklyn Nets have proved through their first two preseason games that they are not afraid to shoot plenty of three pointers. In fact, Kenny Atkinson and the coaching staff encourage it.

One of the early indications of how Kenny Atkinson will coach the Brooklyn Nets has emerged through two preseason games: Brooklyn — as long as they are open — will shoot plenty of three pointers.

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“We’re committed to it, we believe in it,” Atkinson said regarding shooting beyond the arc, per NBA.com. “But again, I think I said last night [after the Detroit Pistons game] we do want open shots. I thought we took more than a couple, four or five that were contested. And we show it to them and say, ‘make another pass, or drive it.’ It’s not an all-out extreme 3-point attack. I think it’s we’re trying to get open shots.”

The Nets possess an interesting mix of players as it pertains to shooting three pointers. In their opener against the Pistons, the Nets shot 34 three-pointers, and knocked down 14 of them. Saturday’s matchup against the New York Knicks didn’t go as well from beyond the arc, but the Nets continued to shoot three’s. Brooklyn shot 33 three-pointers, just one less than versus Detroit, but made only 9.

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Bojan Bogdanovic is certainly the Nets’ best three point shooter. However, Brooklyn has other options as well. Sean Kilpatrick can knock down three’s, as can Luis Scola from time to time. In the Detroit game, Brook Lopez even wandered out beyond the arc, although there is little debate that his game fits best in the paint.

While Jeremy Lin isn’t known for shooting three’s, his presence should help the Nets get open looks. With Lin’s ability to drive into the paint, he can cause defenses to collapse down into the paint, and then pass the ball to an open shooter.

The Nets have assuredly shown a willingness to shoot from three, but if there is one point Atkinson wants to get across on the subject, it is don’t force it. Overall, the Nets want to take what defenses give them. If Bogdanovic, Kipatrick, Greivis Vasquez, or another shooter has an open three, look for them to take it. But Brooklyn’s philosophy will not include consistently hoisting contested three-pointers.

As of Sunday, the Nets have only played two preseason games. As they continue to compile minutes on the floor, the offense will continue to come together. Atkinson will continue to implement his offense in the best ways he sees fit, but one aspect seems clear: the Nets won’t shy away from an open three pointer.

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