Nets’ December Defense Impresses Rivals Despite Loss to Warriors
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Brooklyn’s renewed commitment to defense has opponents taking notice, even after the Nets’ three-game winning streak ended with a 120-point setback against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
League-Best December Defense
Until Monday’s defeat, Brooklyn owned the NBA’s top defensive rating for the month of December. The stingy stretch included victories over Toronto, Philadelphia, and Minnesota, helping the club move up the Eastern Conference standings.
Kerr Applauds Nets’ Progress
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Brooklyn “looked organized and energetic” when he reviewed film of the recent win in Minnesota. He noted that the Nets have claimed seven wins in their last 10 outings and credited head coach Jordi Fernández and his staff for maintaining intensity during a roster rebuild.
Porter Jr. Faces Long All-Star Odds
Forward Michael Porter Jr. placed 10th among Eastern Conference players in the first round of fan voting, a position that makes an All-Star selection unlikely despite his career-best numbers. Fernández called Porter “a lead-by-example player” whose shooting results from extensive behind-the-scenes work.
Roster Decisions Loom
General manager Sean Marks and governor Joe Tsai must weigh whether Porter is a long-term building block or a trade asset. The front office is also evaluating guard Cam Thomas, center Nic Claxton, and the possibility of using roughly $15 million in cap space to absorb a contract in exchange for additional draft capital.
Highsmith Provides Veteran Guidance
Forward Haywood Highsmith, sidelined following right knee surgery, has taken on a mentorship role while rehabbing. Fernández praised the veteran for holding rookie Drake Powell accountable and assisting in practice sessions, calling Highsmith’s leadership “invaluable.”
The Nets continue their homestand later this week as they try to regain the defensive form that propelled their December surge.
Source: Hoops Rumors
