Nets coach, players respond to Joe Johnson's accusations of selfishness

Word of Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson's mini-rant Tuesday about his team's alleged selfishness seems to have made the rounds in the Nets locker room.

Johnson lashed out at his teammates for not having each other's backs, for helping out only sporadically on defense, and not sharing the ball enough on offense. He said this despite the fact that the Nets are 4-2 with the league's second-best offensive rating.

On Wednesday, some other members of the Nets spoke the media and addressed Johnson's comments.

"I can understand where he comes from," said Kevin Garnett. "Our shot selection sometimes is not the best. ... I think for one of our star players to come out and call out our team and not an individual says a lot. Overall, I guess the message here - and I want everyone to understand this - is team."

Head coach Lionel Hollins didn't seem to be reading as much into what Johnson had to say.

"I read all of that," Hollins said. "It means nothing. It's one guy's opinion. He's entitled to it."

"At times, I think there's definitely selfish play out there, but I don't think it's constant," said Deron Williams. "I don't think we should worry about it."

"I think the one thing he might not have said and take back was saying 'selfish,'" said Hollins.

"Usually when you make a comment like this it's severe," said Garnett. "You would like to keep it internal. But we're professionals." Garnett also added that he doesn't believe players last long in the NBA by "just whispering or being a nice guy or a guy the ladies like. You've got to be an asshole."

For the most part, the Nets seem to be taking Johnson's comments in stride. As for Johnson himself, he isn't backing down from what he said. Asked if he thought his message had been received, he answered: "I think that assessment will come tonight."

The Nets are Phoenix for a showdown with the 4-3 Phoenix Suns.

(Quotes courtesy of Newsweek's Rod Boone and the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy)