With two Defensive Player of the Year runners-up in their lineup and a third starter who aims to contend for the award this season, the Nets should be a top-10 defense.

But they’re not. Not even close.

So what gives?

The Nets guard the ball. They’re switchable. They even rebound, which — as any fan can tell you — is a minor miracle. Death, taxes and the Nets getting battered on the boards had been sure things until they finally got stout on the glass this season.