We're only 20 games into the season so it's still a bit early to look at statistics and draw sweeping conclusions. But if we wait for a more robust sample, there will be less surprises. And what fun is that? Let's comb through some statistics and find a few items that stand out to get to know the first place (14-6) Brooklyn Nets a bit better.
10 Surprising Stats About The Brooklyn Nets
10. James Harden ranks 4th in the league in both free throws made and attempted
Given all of the ink that has been spilled about James Harden's struggles with new rule changes, it's a bit surprising to see him amongst the league leaders in free throws made and attempted. He averaged 11.8 free throw attempts per game in his last full season in Houston. He's down to 6.8 so far this year, but that's still much higher than the 2.6 attempts per game he averaged through the first six games of the year when it was much a bigger story.
Harden still has some pretty big swings. For example, one night he'll get to the line for a ridiculous 19 free throws. But then the next he'll only hoist three freebies. So maybe some of this is his energy, how much pep is in his step on a given night, maybe some of it is quality of opponent, and some depends on the officiating crew.
Still it's surprising to see how many free throws he's taking and making when you consider how big of a story him versus the officials has been this season.
For anyone keeping score at home, Kevin Durant ranks fifth in free throws made (111) just behind his teammate, but that one seems a little less surprising. We know KD is one of the top MVP candidates and is leading the league in points per game. We can hear all of the MVP chants he generates when he heads to the stripe.
9. Kevin Durant is technically no longer leading the league in total points
OK, he's still up there for points per game with 28.6, now tied with Stephen Curry for first place in that category. But Atlanta Hawks' star Trae Young now has 545 total points, one more than KD's 544–neck-and-neck with a player nearly a head shorter than himself.
8. James Harden and Kevin Durant both rank in the top 20 in total rebounds
You may not have guessed this duo would rank so high in boards. Not only do the Nets as a team tend to struggle cleaning the glass (as five of their six losses to date have seen the team out muscled in the rebounding department), the star wings don't profile as dominant rebounders. However, the Nets have dedicated to focus on gang rebounding and not leaking out for fast-break points, and the team's leaders have provided an example.
KD averages 7.6 boards per night and Harden averages 7.9.
7. Through 20 games, somehow the Nets have the 7th best defense
You may have already learned this one, but it's no less surprising considering their roster: the Nets allow a stingy 105 points per 100 possessions per NBA.com. Only six teams protect their end better.
Given the reputations of many of their players coming into the season, this one is the biggest surprise of all and a testament to their dedication to that end of the floor.
6. Nets rank dead last in offensive rebounding percentage and total offensive rebounds per game
Maybe you are not surprised about this but I didn't expect they'd rank dead last in this category. The Nets grab the least amount of offensive rebounds, preferring to get back on defense than follow their own shots.
It begs the question if this is a matter of philosophy, or is it more a product of their personnel?
5. James Harden is second in the league in assists per game with 9.4 per game
This probably comes as no shock to you, you're a Nets fan. But casuals often tend to think of The Beard as a selfish player who doesn't love to pass. The three-time scoring champ got honest after the team's most recent loss and shared how he is struggling to figure out when to play point guard and when to create for himself, especially given Kyrie Irving's absence.
“Honestly, I’m trying to figure all that out right now,” Harden admitted after the Suns beat them in Brooklyn. “I’m trying to figure it out. Trying to figure out when to score, when to be a playmaker when to run offense, when to do a little bit of everything. Just trying to figure it out. It’s been a little difficult, especially since, you know, well, whatever, but it’s been a little difficult but I’m just trying to figure it out.”
For now, he's dropping dimes. Whether or not the team wants him to shoot more and pass less is something we'll learn over time.
4. LaMarcus Aldridge ranks 17th overall in blocks per game
This one is most surprising given the context surrounding LMA's offseason. The Texas product abruptly retired after dealing with an irregular heartbeat last season. Now he's back and patrolling the paint with top 20 rejection rates. Oh and this next one….
3. LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant are both in the top 20 for field goal percentage
This one becomes all the more impressive when you consider who they share this list with. Look at how many other league leaders in percentage finish at the rim. Many of LMA and KD's buckets come on jump shots.
It's so crazy how well Aldridge and KD have shot from the midrange this year.
2. Patty Mills (50 percent) and Joe Harris (46.6 percent) rank first and second in the entire league for 3 point percentage
It pain us to write this because we recently learned Joe Harris would need surgery on his injured ankle and is now set to miss 4-8 weeks. That has three important ramifications for the Nets' rotation. But the top two leaders in the entire league from distance don the black and white.
Mills was originally signed to play a bench role. But with the absences of Kyrie Irving and now Joe Harris, his importance to the team only continues to grow. He's making the most of his opportunity as well and the former champion has established himself one of the team's emotional and vocal leaders through 20 games.
1. Brooklyn ranks third in the league for true shooting percentage with 58, behind only the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors
It's pretty impressive that the Nets rate so highly in this category, a measure of how efficient their offense and shot selection can be. Squarely behind two of the best teams in the entire league, and just ahead of the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn has some great company here.
What's even more impressive is perhaps how many of their shots are midrange jumpers considering Durant and Aldridge love those shots. But they're not the type of shot that always makes for friendly analytic outcomes. But this team may just have the shooters to render some mathematical truisms less predictive.