Head coach Lionel Hollins had no issue taking his team to task following a fourth consecutive loss on Monday night.
That doesn't mean he's interested in talking about individual players, though, especially ones for whom he may have some unkind words. Center Brook Lopez, for example, had a terrible outing Monday, shooting 2-of-8 for just five points in 22 minutes while getting cooked on defense.
"I don't want to talk about Brook right now," Hollins said following the game. “I don’t want to talk about any individuals. I want to talk about the game and our effort. I hear what you’re asking, I just don’t want to go there right now. It’s not a good time for me.”
Lopez's struggles to start the year are well-documented. He's averaging only 15 points and shooting 46.9 percent from the floor, his worst mark ever. He's also averaging just half an assist amid the Nets having trouble moving the ball and Joe Johnson calling the team out for selfish play.
That's kind of the book on Lopez, who generally scores well inside but doesn't always bring a great deal else to the table. The microscope is on his performance right now because last year's Nets found their way once Lopez went down to injury, even though he had played well individually during the team's poor start.
So far this season, the Nets are better off without him - they've outscored opponents by 2.7 points per 100 possessions when Lopez sits and have been outpaced by 4.1 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor. He's too talented, and well paid, to simply sit down, and 20-point scoring centers aren't exactly a dime a dozen. But it's clear Lopez needs to play better for the Nets to climb out of their 4-6 hole.
