Last Monday, Dec, 14: Orlando Magic 105, Brooklyn Nets 82. Brooklyn’s 17th loss of the season. Center Brook Lopez, who’s averaging 19.3 points and 8 rebounds per game this season, Brooklyn’s leading scorer and second in rebounding, was held to 11 points, 6 rebounds by the Magic.
“I definitely take responsibility for this one,” said Brooklyn’s 27-year-old, 7-foot center, after their 23- point home loss to the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center last Monday night, as referenced above. “I felt I was a complete negative for our team. I kind of let us down, and pulled us back. I definitely need to be better, and I can be.”
And he has been: 25 points, 6 rebounds in the very next game, at home, Wednesday night, verses the Miami Heat; 18 points and 5 rebounds Friday night in Indiana, against the Pacers; 20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks, a double-double Sunday afternoon against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves; and 21 points, 12 rebounds, another double-double, back out on the road Monday night against the Chicago Bulls, ending Brooklyn’s five-game losing streak.
Lopez, in his seventh year, logged his ninth double-double this season against Minnesota. He’s ranked 24th in the NBA among all top scorers and leads all centers in total points scored. As for rebounds, Lopez drops to 30 on that list, averaging 8 per game overall, 3 offensive, 5.1 on defense.
But while Lopez has excelled as a Net and strives to lead and be an example, production from his co-workers hasn’t been as consistent. The mounting losses and player effort from starters and the bench is being questioned.
“We haven’t had a complete game in a while, and you can see that,” Lopez said. “It takes every person who steps onto the court to set the attitude. And we certainly need the bench to come in and, you know, do the same thing, or even pick it up.”
Brooklyn, who played the Dallas Mavericks last night, Wednesday, at home at Barclays Center, also plays an afternoon home game Saturday against the Washington Wizards, and then travels to Miami to play the Heat Monday. Maybe Santa will leave some wins under their Christmas tree.
