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

[Ersatz]

"His impact on the defensive end is almost too big for statistics to grasp, but let's give it a shot: since January 1st, the Nets have allowed opponents to score 107.2 points per 100 possessions with Garnett off the floor, and 87.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.

"I fear stating the numbers doesn't quantify how ridiculous they are, so let's make some comparisons. Indiana's league-best defense allows teams to score 92.8 points per 100 possessions. The Garnett-led Nets in 2014 are nearly a full five points better than that. Utah's league-worst defense clocks in at around 107.6 points per 100 possessions, just a hair below the Garnett-benched Nets.

"In sum: with Kevin Garnett on the floor, the Nets make the league's best defense look average. With Garnett off the floor, the Nets look like the league's worst defense. It's that significant."

http://thebrooklyngame.com/brooklyn-nets-lineup-its-not-smallball-its-longball/

[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.

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

Right.  Which sounds contradictory to what I am saying, but it isn't.  Between having slightly faster players, and then by also slowing the pace down, basically they completely take away any disadvantage they had with speed, and now they are able to take advantage of the incredible skill-level they have. 

[CelticG1]

Sorry but im happy they are picking up steam

[Fafnir]

Sorry but im happy they are picking up steam

Meh it hasn't hurt our pick so far as Atlanta has hung in there.

I'd like for the pick to be a good one but I never expected it to be a lottery pick. Hopefully it'll be the six or seventh seed.

[Onslaught]

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.

David Robinson, Moses Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, Patrick Ewing, Arvydas Sabonis, Rik Smits, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Robert Parish

[SHAQATTACK]

Nets going all d way .

KG ......dun gots his second wind

Nets beats he Heats  in playoffs

[LarBrd33]

How bout that Leastern Conference, eh?  6 teams at .500!  Almost respectable! 

Brooklyn should get there eventually.

[SHAQATTACK]

How bout that Leastern Conference, eh?  6 teams at .500!  Almost respectable! 

Brooklyn should get there eventually.

Yup...tanks to us 

[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.

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

I don't think that's what pundits/etc., refer to when they talk about the "death of the true center," no.

For example: for my money the best Pick-and-roll center of the last ten years was A'mare Stoudimire, and I'm pretty sure most people would say "no way, he wasn't a real center."

Except that, if you look at those Phoenix teams, he absolutely was.

[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.

David Robinson, Moses Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, Patrick Ewing, Arvydas Sabonis, Rik Smits, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Robert Parish

It is definitely true that none of those players are in the league any more.

[LarBrd33]

"His impact on the defensive end is almost too big for statistics to grasp, but let's give it a shot: since January 1st, the Nets have allowed opponents to score 107.2 points per 100 possessions with Garnett off the floor, and 87.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.

"I fear stating the numbers doesn't quantify how ridiculous they are, so let's make some comparisons. Indiana's league-best defense allows teams to score 92.8 points per 100 possessions. The Garnett-led Nets in 2014 are nearly a full five points better than that. Utah's league-worst defense clocks in at around 107.6 points per 100 possessions, just a hair below the Garnett-benched Nets.

"In sum: with Kevin Garnett on the floor, the Nets make the league's best defense look average. With Garnett off the floor, the Nets look like the league's worst defense. It's that significant."

http://thebrooklyngame.com/brooklyn-nets-lineup-its-not-smallball-its-longball/

Pretty much the exact same situation last year with Boston.  Our defense was garbage without him... awesome with him.

It's why we are the 3rd worst team in the NBA without PIerce and KG... and why the Nets were willing to give up a few late 1st rounders for a couple years of KG and Pierce.

[Onslaught]

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.

David Robinson, Moses Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, Patrick Ewing, Arvydas Sabonis, Rik Smits, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Robert Parish

It is definitely true that none of those players are in the league any more.

That is true. And it's also true that the NBA hasn't really got many centers anymore. So much so that it's not even a selection for the All Stars. People I listed are centers, KG is a toothpick PF.