Avery Johnson criticizes Brook Lopez for his recent play
While Brook Lopez, the starting centre for the New Jersey Nets (4-9), played well statistically over the Nets’ recent four-game road trip, he made two critical mistakes in the dying moments
of two games, potentially costing his team two wins. His mistakes prompted some public criticism from New Jersey coach Avery Johnson, who said the 7ft 0in Lopez needs to rebound better, needs to make better decisions down the stretch, and has to be a more
dominant physical presence.
While some players might take public criticism personally, Lopez told reporters he's not too bothered by it. “It’s good. It means he cares. Every time I think I’ve improved a little, or
covered what he told me to do, he always gives me something new. He just helps me to always improve in every area.”
Against the Sacramento Kings on Friday 19 November, he couldn’t haul down an easy rebound late in the game that could have swung the game and he missed an open layup the next night against
the Denver Nuggets that would have sent the game into overtime.
Johnson told the media on Monday 22 November that his tough love is part of his approach to keeping his players accountable for their actions. He said so long as the criticism is accurate,
he sees no problem with it. “I think they don’t take (criticism) well when it’s not the truth, or they don’t take it well when you’re in a certain type of angry voice every day, all day."
While Lopez is averaging 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season, his shooting percentage (42 per cent) is down compared to his career percentage (50 per cent). Averaging 8.2
rebounds over his career, his work on the glass has also gone down.
Johnson said he wants Lopez to play more in the paint rather than take jumpers. “I think recently you’ve seen him defend the paint a little bit better than he did a week ago, so you’ve
seen him come along there. Now we’re working on offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds and finishing in the paint.”
Tags: