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New Nets coach Hollins to Brook Lopez: 'Be tougher'

Howard Smith / USA TODAY Sports

New Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins has only been at the helm of the team for a few weeks, and he already has a message for his starting center. 

“Just being more aggressive, being tougher, rebounding better … just being a force in the paint,” Hollins said to the New York Post, detailing his expectations for Brook Lopez this season. “When you’re 7-foot, 260, I’d like for him to be a force, but I would like all of our big guys to play tougher, more aggressive."

Sunday's practice reportedly ended with a spirited exchange between the two over some mistakes. Hollins repeated that he'd prefer his biggest starter spend more time near the hoop. 

“Be an inside player. If you’re an inside player, a big guy, patrol the paint, and play outside last. Don’t play outside and never get to the paint.”

For what it's worth, Lopez has blossomed into one of the better shooting big men in the NBA. He's shown he's capable of comfortably knocking down most shots inside the 3-point line. 

“I think Brook has to learn to use his strength, his size, to his advantage,” Nets point guard Deron Williams said. “I don’t think he’s saying to Brook, ‘Don’t ever shoot a jumper,’ because that would take away something Brook is really good at. But I think (Hollins) wants Brook to establish himself as a low-post presence, and we as a team kind of need that. It’s something we missed last year, and it kind of forced Joe (Johnson) to take on that role.”

The Nets were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round last season by the Miami Heat. Lopez missed all but 17 games after undergoing foot and ankle surgery. 

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