TOUGH LOVE
Atkinson threatens changes after soft Nets pounded
MINNEAPOLIS — The Nets let an uber-athletic, high-flying Timberwolves team run roughshod over them Saturday, a 129107 loss in front of 14,798 at Target Center. It was their fifth straight defeat and one that sounded like it got on usually positive coach Kenny Atkinson’s last nerve.
They weren’t physical. They didn’t defend. And afterward, Atkinson told them in no uncertain terms they would start doing both or start redistributing minutes to players who will.
“I just don’t think our defense [was good enough]. It just wasn’t acceptable. I don’t think we contested shots, our physicality was below average. We talk about having a road mentality. We didn’t have it,” said Atkinson, who added he is considering lineup changes in the wake of their latest defensive debacle.
“We’ll look at it. I think it’s something we’ve got to look at it. We’ve got to find the guys that want to defend and distribute the minutes proportionately, appropriately. I think that’s where we are. I think we’ve had a streak here where we’re not defending. That’s not acceptable. That’s not the type of program we’re trying to run.”
Brooklyn (9-38) coughed up 51.1 percent shooting, letting the Timberwolves slash and drive and hit 9 of 20 from deep. And they couldn’t slow center KarlAnthony Towns, a New Jersey product who dominated with 37 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots, all game-highs.
Andrew Wiggins added 23 points and Zach LaVine 20, the Timberwolves’ trio of lottery picks having their way with little resistance.
“We can bring a lot more physicality than we’ve been bringing. I think that’s probably one of the reasons why teams have been feeling a little comfortable, the fact that we’re not physical enough,” said Sean Kilpatrick, who had 14 points. “[Atkinson] said he was going to find guys that were going to play defense and going to help us win.”
Brooklyn fell behind 19-7 early and trailed wire-to-wire. Center Brook Lopez had 10 of his team- high 25 points with 5:17 left in the first quarter, but the Nets still were down 19-10. He didn’t score again the rest of the half, trailing 63-55 at the break.
The Nets never got closer than three the rest of the way.
“They had a cushion the whole time due to the way we came out. Our energy at the start of the game was absolutely, no question, unacceptable,” Lopez said. “Myself included, I wasn’t where I need to be.
“[Atkinson] did address it. It’s obviously something we have to deal with as players. I don’t know if lineup changes would do that, but we need guys out there from the jump who are going to be ready to play and ready to compete.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was limited to 8:08, leaving with a sore right ankle. No further update was given. He was a plus-9, while no other Net was better than a minus-3.