Joe Johnson needs to be freed from Raptors' grasp

Rod Boone described what Joe Johnson was up against Sunday night in Brooklyn.  Describing the Toronto defense on Johnson, Boone wrote...

The Raptors sped toward him like train-bound commuters at Penn Station after a boarding announcement. The result: seven points, the fewest he has scored since March 1. Seven shots, the fewest he's hoisted since Jan. 24.

Now, the Nets need to adjust. Johnson knows. They can't let it happen again. "I mean, I looked out and there were three guys coming at me once. But I just tried to make the right play, man. It forced other guys to make plays, and down the stretch, we just couldn't come up with the big play."

His coach said the burden must be shared, but also singled out Deron Williams for inconsistency and a lack of aggressiveness.

"It is not so much a problem. For Deron, his energy, having high energy and playing with that energy for 48 minutes on the floor, the rest of the guys follow him," said Kidd, adding, "For him, it is about playing with that same energy and the intent of being aggressive."

There's also the issue of discouragement, having a game --and the prospect of 3-1 series lead-- fade away and faced with going to Toronto 2-2 and having to win two out of three, two of them in Canada. Paul Pierce said the Nets can't let it get them down. Pierce in fact may be critical to the adjustments. Expect him to post up more out of the power forward.

• Joe Johnson, Nets need to find a way to beat Raptors' smothering defense - Rod Boone - Newsday
• Nets vets finding playoff experience isn't everything - Neil Best - Newsday
• With Nets' Joe Johnson getting Raptors attention, it's on Deron Williams to lead Brooklyn - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
• Aren't the Nets Supposed to Be the Old Team in Matchup With Raptors? - Alex Raskin - Wall Street Journal
• Is Kidd resting KG too much? - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Kidd, Nets welcome doubles on Joe again - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• 2014 NBA playoffs -- DeMar DeRozan of Toronto Raptors still has room for growth, coach Dwane Casey says - James Herbert - ESPN New York
• Nets need Deron Williams to remain aggressive - Andy Vasquez - The Record
  
• Raptors’ Kyle Lowry Unfazed by Injury or Height Disadvantage - Zach Schonbrun - New York Times
• The Nets need to make some adjustments - Jon Presser - SNY Nets
• All of Nets’ hopes rest on Deron Williams - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Raptors gaining confidence as series goes on - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
  
• Are Nets fans sluggish? - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
  
• Veteran Nets Mindful Of Resilient Raptors Heading Into Game 5 - AP
• Paul Pierce still doing playoff damage at 36 - Benton Smith - KU Sports
  
• Toronto Raptors defying all reasonable predictions, no referee conspiracy - Eric Koreen - National Post
• Raptors coach Casey knows more work remains - Mike Ganter - Toronto Sun
• NBA: Which team is Heat's biggest threat? - Allie LaForce & Doug Gottlieb- CBS Sports