Coincidence that the Nets are good now that KG is at C?

[yelkao]

What do people think?

[JBcat]

Possibly.  Pierce is now starting at the 4, and Joe Johnson has been in fire lately.  kirlenko coming back helps them too.

[freshinthehouse]

KG has been at his best these last 3-4 years while playing center.  He is still quick for 5, while he struggles to guard some of the quicker 4s out there.

[Big_Dave31]

This is a big part of the Nets' success in my opinion.  KG isn't a 4 anymore, he may say he hates playing centre, but, he has now picked his play up.
Lopez kind of hurt the Nets a little when he was healthy as they just relied on him too much on offense, and it made them quite slow on D.

[moiso]

He's definitely better at center than power forward, but he's not as good as Lopez anymore.  He's also still playing like 20minutes a game.

[Onslaught]

Seeing that the NBA only has a small handful of real centers anymore then KG is an acceptable one in todays game.

[banty19]

Here are their stats in January: http://espn.go.com/nba/team/stats/_/name/bkn/split/42/brooklyn-nets

Don't think it has too much to do with KG. Only 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in about 23 minutes. Very efficient but overall not contributing that much.

Looks like a huge part of it has been Deron Williams. Efficient, higher volume scoring, lots of 3s, steals, etc. Joe Johnson has also been better. Then you have solid contributions from role players like Andray Blatche, Mirza Teletovic, and KG.

[Fafnir]

Here are their stats in January: http://espn.go.com/nba/team/stats/_/name/bkn/split/42/brooklyn-nets

Don't think it has too much to do with KG. Only 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in about 23 minutes. Very efficient but overall not contributing that much.

Looks like a huge part of it has been Deron Williams. Efficient, higher volume scoring, lots of 3s, steals, etc. Joe Johnson has also been better. Then you have solid contributions from role players like Andray Blatche, Mirza Teletovic, and KG.

With KG at center the past month or so they've defended at an top 5 level when he's on the court.

That was the issue with them early in the season, they defended terribly and were worse with KG on the court. Now KG is hitting more of his shots (60% ish instead of 33%ish) and also anchoring the D.

[Fafnir]

This is a big part of the Nets' success in my opinion.  KG isn't a 4 anymore, he may say he hates playing centre, but, he has now picked his play up.
Lopez kind of hurt the Nets a little when he was healthy as they just relied on him too much on offense, and it made them quite slow on D.

Lopez was playing pretty well on both ends for him when he was on the court.

The issue was they were too slow as a team. KG/Pierce are their starting PF/C now. That combined with AK-47 coming back to give them minutes has just allowed them to keep up.

[sofutomygaha]

Seeing that the NBA only has a small handful of real centers anymore then KG is an acceptable one in todays game.

This has really become a truism. What's a real center, again? A paint defender who has post moves? I feel like ever since I started hearing that there aren't any more true centers (usually building up to a backhanded compliment toward Pau Gasol), I've been seeing them absolutely everywhere.

[wiley]

Here are their stats in January: http://espn.go.com/nba/team/stats/_/name/bkn/split/42/brooklyn-nets

Don't think it has too much to do with KG. Only 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in about 23 minutes. Very efficient but overall not contributing that much.

Looks like a huge part of it has been Deron Williams. Efficient, higher volume scoring, lots of 3s, steals, etc. Joe Johnson has also been better. Then you have solid contributions from role players like Andray Blatche, Mirza Teletovic, and KG.

Deron should help but he's only been back for two games....most of this win streak has come without him.

[D.o.s.]

Seeing that the NBA only has a small handful of real centers anymore then KG is an acceptable one in todays game.

This has really become a truism. What's a real center, again? A paint defender who has post moves? I feel like ever since I started hearing that there aren't any more true centers (usually building up to a backhanded compliment toward Pau Gasol), I've been seeing them absolutely everywhere.

I think of back-to-the-basket players who command double teams in the low post (on offense), and players who can match up with those players on defense without needing help.

[sofutomygaha]

Seeing that the NBA only has a small handful of real centers anymore then KG is an acceptable one in todays game.

This has really become a truism. What's a real center, again? A paint defender who has post moves? I feel like ever since I started hearing that there aren't any more true centers (usually building up to a backhanded compliment toward Pau Gasol), I've been seeing them absolutely everywhere.

I think of back-to-the-basket players who command double teams in the low post (on offense), and players who can match up with those players on defense without needing help.

Ok, so like, not pick-and-roll guys like Tyson Chandler or high post shooters like Marc Gasol?

[Chris]

Yes and no.  It is a big part of the equation.  Less because KG is playing better at center, more because they have increased their team speed by going smaller.  This team was one of the slowest teams I have ever seen playing KG and Lopez together up front.  But, replacing Lopez with another wing type player really changed things, and opened up the floor. 

[Fafnir]

Yes and no.  It is a big part of the equation.  Less because KG is playing better at center, more because they have increased their team speed by going smaller.  This team was one of the slowest teams I have ever seen playing KG and Lopez together up front.  But, replacing Lopez with another wing type player really changed things, and opened up the floor.

Another thing I read, they've slowed the pace down. Accepted being an older team and avoiding trying to run with teams.