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Brooklyn Nets are still searching for consistent leadership

By Ed Easton Jr.

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 31: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on October 31, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 31: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns on October 31, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets are young and explosive offensively, but are feeling the dreaded effects of inconsistent leadership on the court during close games.

The Brooklyn Nets have shown a few teams around the NBA that they are ready to be considered contenders in the very near future with impressive victories. The team was at an all-time high after their thrilling victory over LeBron James and the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers last week in front of a sold-out Barclays Center crowd. The good times, however, have come to a sudden halt as the team is struggling through a three-game losing streak.

The Nets have fallen to the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and most recently, the Phoenix Suns. The losing is not the worst part of the streak; it’s actually the team’s lack of leadership on the court once things begin to break down. There is no true backbone on the team defensively to stop big runs from teams in the second half. forcing Brooklyn to constantly play catch-up.

The poor execution towards the end of the Suns matchup led to a 40-20 run by Phoenix to finish the game, eventually sinking the Nets. The Suns came into the game having a variety of issues off the court regarding a recent head coaching change and drama surrounding their starting point guard Eric Bledsoe. Even with all that going on, the team still had enough leadership to finish the game on top, essentially outworking the Nets.

Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson shared his thoughts after the game with reporters during his routine post press conference.

"“Give credit to their [Suns] group that was in there. They went on a run at the end of the game. They just took over. We didn’t make plays. I thought our shot selection was iffy. I thought our shot selection was iffy all game. I think we set a Nets record for midrange contested jump shots. We have to improve our shot selection and I think that will help our defense, help our spirit. But a lot of contested shots from everybody tonight.”"

The season-ending knee injury to Jeremy Lin in the opener not only took away a talented guard from the lineup but the team leader as well. Lin’s influence in the locker room during preseason and all of training camp earned plenty of respect amongst his teammates. His quote to reporters  after an impressive preseason that saw the team finish 3-1 expressed the Nets’ desire to do better and not overemphasize the early success.

"“I think we’re definitely more talented, [but] demeanor is too early to tell. I think preseason is in a lot of ways fool’s gold. The real character and mindset and demeanor of everybody comes out in the regular season.“Honestly, I’m not really paying too much attention. But my evaluation was always we’re pretty good. I’ve never thought anything otherwise, and I’ve never let anybody’s opinion tell me otherwise, At the end of the day it’s our job to figure things out, and prove that to everybody else.”"

D’Angelo Russell may have the flash and amazing offensive ability but has faced several issues defensively. He is not known for being a locker room leader and at only 21 years old he still has a lot to learn in the league about making his teammates better.

The longest-tenured Nets player, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, spoke with reporters after the Suns meltdown, expressing his feelings on the team’s rebounding and needing leadership.

"“Pretty much just coming in every day willing to work. I think people sometimes get confused with being a leader by what they say. I think it’s about what you do and your work ethic and how you come in every day. People start to follow. Stay together, keep believing in the process, keep believing in each other, keep believing in what the coaches believe in and everything will change.”"

As the team turns its attention to the upcoming road trip it will be critical that they figure out who the new team leader is quickly before falling into more late game traps.

Next: NBA Halloween - Playing trick-or-treat with early season trends

The Nets need as much momentum as possible to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference, as the month of November always seems to find a way to distance the good teams from the weak as everyone begins to grow better chemistry.

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