Drake Powell proving defensive prowess has Nets eager for more

Jordi Fernández didn’t remember seeing the number of fast break points on Monday’s stat sheet in some time.

The first home win of the season for the Nets came from turning defense into offense with 22 fast break points scored. They also had a season-high 33 assists against 11 turnovers, and they forced 18 turnovers off the Hornets for 27 points, another season high. 

Many of those numbers in the 116-103 win over the Hornets at Barclays Center came from great efforts by rookie Drake Powell.

After coming up with a loose ball in the second quarter, the UNC product sprinted in transition and lobbed a ball up for a Michael Porter Jr. dunk to only trail the Hornets by three points. 

Later in the third quarter, Powell’s defensive hands caught the ball from Collin Sexton’s crossover. With the steal, he had a dunk finish on the other end to put the Nets up 83-79. 

He went on to score 10 points and tallied four assists and three steals with only one turnover. His defensive skills, which have become highly valued by the Nets, were apparent once again.

“His line — the four assists to one turnover — is huge. But like I said, to me, it was, he embraces being a high-level defender and I think today he did it,” Fernández said. “He picks it up full court. He can stay in front of the ball. I think he got deflections.”

In the second half, the Nets held the Hornets to 44 points on 35 percent shooting from the field. They had trouble stopping Kon Knueppel, who shot 4-for-9 beyond the arc. Yet, after 12 first-half points, the guard only had five in the second half. 

Powell has logged many games with Knueppel as his defensive assignment. The two played against one another back in the ACC in college, Powell with the Tar Heels and Knueppel with Duke.

“I would say maybe a little bit, just him initiating a little bit obviously with LaMelo Ball,” Powell said of any differences in facing Knueppel in the NBA. “But still a very talented player and quick trigger. Plays off two feet. Just a smart basketball player.”

“I thought our ball pressure was much better. I thought Ziaire [Williams] and Drake were outstanding with our ball pressure….” Fernández added. “[We] didn’t start the game the right way. They were loose with their drives. Their pick-and-roll is what they do best…But then that second half, I think the point of the attack was handled way better. And I think those two guys did a great job and then everybody else behind.”

Powell’s defensive prowess and athleticism have shown to be huge assets for the Nets as they focus on the future, developing their young players in another rebuilding year. On the offensive end, though, the No. 22 pick is being challenged to shoot the ball more as he gets increasingly comfortable on the court. 

Powell shot 2-for-5 from deep on Monday, which was a big jump from his season average of 1.9 attempts. He has shot 37 percent from deep this season and had a conversation with Fernández before the game about not hesitating.

“Obviously, we want him to be aggressive, we want him to shoot the ball, and he did today,” the coach said. “He shot five 3s. We felt like in the last couple of games he’s been passing a lot of them and today he was quicker to let it fly. And guess what? It went in. He shot five and if he shoots more I would not be mad at him.”

With Terance Mann sidelined with rib soreness, the 20-year-old took advantage of his open opportunity across 24 minutes that outpaced Tyrese Martin (19), who started in place of Mann. Powell will be tasked to keep up a consistent pace in his increased role in the Nets’ rotation.