Blame includes Deron Williams ... and his relationship with Avery Johnson

In recent days, Williams has taken shot at the Nets', that is Avery Johnson's, playbook and called out his teammates for a lack of toughness. But, in the aftermath of the humbling loss to the Knicks, beat writers and pundits are pointing to Deron Williams as well, citing his struggles as a big reason for the team's fall from 11-4 to 13-12.

Dave D'Alessandro, Ken Berger, Filip Bondy all have columns Thursday on Williams, with D'Alessandro suggesting he has gotten soft sitting on his "fat wallet," Berger writing Williams has been engaged in excuse-making and Bondy pointing out similarities between Williams complaints and other New York athletes' comments before a firing.

But the harshest comment comes from Jeff Van Gundy in the D'Alessandro column. Talking about D-Will's shooting woes, Van Gundy said, "I mean, does he work at it? For all we’ve heard lately from him by way of explanations, eventually shouldn’t you look in the mirror?”

Bottom line for them and others: Avery Johnson has his problems, but it all can't be laid at the coach's footsteps. The captain has to take more responsibility.

• D'Alessandro: Nets' Deron Williams resting on his laurels - and fat wallet - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
• When dishing out blame for Nets, don't forget to point at Williams - Ken Berger - CBS Sports
• Deron Williams pins his struggles on Avery Johnson's system - Matt Moore - CBS Sports
  
• Nets need winning streak, or thorny relationship with Deron Williams could cost Avery Johnson his job - Filip Bondy - NY Daily News
• Deron Williams calls out Brooklyn Nets, says team needs to get tough - Kristie Ackert - NY Daily News
• Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is paying a high price for mediocrity - Sam Gardner - FOX Sports