Johnson watched tape back of recent games and stands by comment…
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Brooklyn Nets star Joe Johnson has slammed the team’s “selfish” play so far this season, particularly on the offensive end of the court but also defensively.
The normally reserved Johnson spoke out ahead of travelling to Phoenix to face the Suns on Wednesday night, and he voiced his strong concerns over the style of play and individual problems with the team currently.
The Nets are set for a three-game Western road swing and it is clear that the former Atlanta Hawks star wants to make sure that it doesn’t become an issue over a difficult stretch.
“Defensively we help from time to time,” Johnson said after Tuesday’s practice. “Offensively, I think guys kind of exhaust their options and then when there is nothing else for them, then they’ll pass it when they have to. For the most part, we have been very selfish.”
While it doesn’t appear to have adversely affected the Nets as their 104-98 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday was their fourth win in five games, Johnson was clearly still frustrated with the manner in which they were picking up wins.
Having taken to Twitter to express his concern and annoyance, Johnson later added:
“Just some frustration obviously. I am not hiding anything. I just thought we were 4-2, six games into the season, I know it’s early, we haven’t played anybody.
“I just didn’t think that as individuals, as players that we all have each other’s backs out there. I felt I didn’t believe it. I go back and I watch the tape just to try to get a different perspective. My feelings haven’t changed.”
The veteran leads the Nets with 19.8 points per game and is averaging a team-high 16 shots per game, and although he refused to name individuals, he also revealed that he hasn’t spoken to the team about it yet which could cause further problems.
Brooklyn (4-2) travel to Phoenix, Golden State and Portland and Johnson has suggested that they will not be able to get away with performing the way they have against such strong opposition from the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, coach Lionel Hollins insisted on Tuesday that he doesn’t have a problem with center Brook Lopez and that the media have overblown the story with regards to sitting him in the fourth quarter against the Magic.
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