Early Returns on Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for Brooklyn Nets Are Moderate

Throughout their initial slate of games, the Brooklyn Nets haven't dominated the NBA as some expected. Mediocre performances by Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are responsible for some of the struggles Brooklyn has endured.

The two veterans were acquired to lead the Nets through adversity, but that hasn't been the case thus far. Let's take a look at why the early returns on Garnett and Pierce have only been moderate.

Offensively

Although Garnett has been involved in the Nets' offense, getting a couple of easy looks each game off of pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop plays, he hasn't shot the ball well. In the 23.2 minutes per game he's averaging, KG is shooting 32.1 percent from the field and scoring only six points per game. His season high has been eight points, done twice against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic.

Garnett's shooting woes could be attributed to him still finding his rhythm from the perimeter, but the problem may lie in where he's touching the ball. KG is getting 26 frontcourt touches per game according to NBA.com. However, he's only averaging 1.8 close touches (from within 12 feet) and 4.8 elbow touches per game. 

A couple of extra touches at the elbow and from within 12 feet should get Garnett going while helping facilitate Brooklyn's offense. Garnett has done a decent job finding the open man this season. He's averaging 1.8 assists per game, but he's had the opportunity to dish out 3.3 APG, via NBA.com.

Pierce, on the other hand, is averaging 3.3 APG and has had the opportunity to pick up 7.3 APG.

The Truth started the season as one of Brooklyn's most consistent scorers. But his production has waned. Against the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers, when the Nets really could have used Pierce's ability to score in bunches and carry a team, Pierce shot 1-of-5 and 5-of-12 from the field while dishing out three and four assists, respectively.

In those two games, he also turned the ball over eight times, which has given Pierce 16 turnovers through six games. His assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.25. 

Defensively

Pierce has been solid defensively and on the glass. He's picked up two steals in each of his last three games and is averaging 6.2 rebounds per game.

Opponents have taken 2.8 shots at the rim per game while guarded by Pierce and are shooting 35.3 percent, via NBA.com. As a comparison, opponents are shooting 58.6 percent at the rim when guarded by Shane Battier (on 4.1 shots per game), 57.1 percent at the rim against Carmelo Anthony (on 3.5 shots) and 62.5 percent at the rim against Andre Iguodala (on 2.3 shots). 

Against Garnett, opponents are scoring at the rim at a 40 percent clip on 3.3 shots per game.

The Big Ticket hasn't been dominant on the defensive end thus far, but his effort has sufficed. Garnett is averaging 6.7 RPG and has grabbed 78.4 percent of the boards he has a chance of recovering, per NBA.com.

KG is also averaging only 0.5 blocks per game. At 37 years old, Garnett doesn't leap as explosively as he used to, and this may be the season when he posts a new career low in rejections.  

Garnett and Pierce haven't solidified the Nets as one of the league's premier teams like many imagined in the offseason, but there's still plenty of basketball to be played. KG should come along offensively and start knocking down those open jumpers he has missed, and Pierce will cut back on the turnovers as chemistry improves in Brooklyn.

Both men will need to elevate their performances if the Nets want to follow through on their championship desires.