There are many ways to describe the 7/11 era in Brooklyn. “Defense” probably wouldn’t be one of that word cloud.
The Nets have never finished better than 21st on defense in the two seasons that both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have stepped on the floor. The early sample of the preseason wasn’t exactly encouraging in terms of defensive growth. The Nets allowed 65 and then 61 points in back-to-back first halves against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat. For as much promise as Brooklyn’s brand-new offense showed, its defense was equally underwhelming.