inside the nets How the Nets can play to their strengths and improve their dreadful defense By Brian Lewis Published Aug. 25, 2026, 6:40 a.m. ET The Nets' Josh Minott defends Jalen Brunson during the Nets' loss to the Knicks on March 20, 2026. Getty Images The Nets had one of the NBA’s worst records last season — and one of its worst defenses.
But while the end of their overt two-year tank has seen the Nets make moves to improve on offense to at least try to be more competitive this season, the other end of the court could still be a mess, the Achilles’ heel that dooms them to a long, painful climb out of the cellar.
How head coach Jordi Fernández tweaks and tinkers with their defense may ultimately determine just what kind of strides the young Nets can take.
