Joe Johnson says Brooklyn's record doesn't mean anything. (USATSI)
Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson is normally rather reserved. He's not a bad quote, but he speaks quietly and rarely says anything controversial. On Tuesday, though, he broke character. Johnson told reporters that the team has been selfish, and acknowledged that, for him to say that publicly, it had to be a big deal. From The Brooklyn Game's Devin Kharpertian:
“It's just- as individuals, as players, (we have to) have each other's backs out there,” Johnson vented to the media after the team's Tuesday afternoon practice. “I just felt, I didn't believe it. I go back, and I watch the tape, and I watch film just to try to get a different perspective, and I mean, my feelings haven't changed.”
“It's just kind of what it is. Defensively, we help from time to time, offensively, I just think guys kind of exhaust their options and then when there's nothing else for them, then they'll pass it when they have to. For the most part, we've been very selfish.”
…
“I'm not hiding anything,” Johnson vented after the team's practice Tuesday. “We're 4-2 six games into the season, but it's early. We haven't played anybody, and the Minnesota game (is) obviously a game we should've won. I thought this last game that we played against Orlando was almost a carbon copy.”
…
“Man, first off I just play. I don't really say much. If I'm speaking on something or saying something, then obviously it has to be something. So I'm not just talking for my health.”
The Nets have beaten the Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder (without Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Morrow and Jeremy Lamb), New York Knicks and Orlando Magic. They have also lost to the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. This is about as light an early schedule as you can imagine, especially considering their last four games have been at home. If Johnson feels there's a problem, that 4-2 mark shouldn't stop him from commenting on it. You can choose how to think about this -- it's either a good team finding ways to win despite playing poorly, or a bad team winning games it shouldn't.
As Kharpertian pointed out, though, Brooklyn has the third-best offense in the league. Deron Williams looks rejuvenated, too. There are positives, even if you think the record reflects the quality of the team's opponents more than anything else.
Johnson said that, if the Nets keep playing the same way they have been, they'll get "double-digit losses" against the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers on their upcoming road trip. Let's see if Brooklyn can step things up.
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