Kevin Garnett agrees with Joe Johnson's criticism of Nets

In returning to the scene of one of his most thrilling buzzer-beaters last season, Joe Johnson knows this is the right time.

Never one to openly criticize and easily one of the most laid-back players in the league, Johnson came down hard on some of his teammates in the aftermath of an ugly win over the Magic Sunday. He used the word "selfish" and said the players didn't have each other's backs, strong stuff from a player who by his own admission prefers to blend into the background.

Understanding that their 4-2 record entering Wednesday night's game against the Suns was a bit of fool's gold considering the six opponents had a combined record of 13-30, and aware of last season's early struggles, Johnson believes now is the precise moment to speak up.

Beginning with the game against the Suns at the US Airways Center, the Nets are embarking on a seven-game stretch that includes dates with the Warriors, Trail Blazers, Heat and Spurs. So Johnson is sounding the alarm before they develop any more bad habits.

"I think if we play together as a unit and help each other out offensively, defensively, then a few of the games that we've had come down to the wire I don't think would even get to that point," Johnson said Wednesday. "And going forward, playing against the top teams, you can't play that way."

Although he suggested he would have preferred Johnson not to go public with his gripes and to keep things more internal, Kevin Garnett concurred with Johnson's assessment. He agreed there are occasions when not everyone is sticking to the system and playing within the structure, particularly on offense.

That, in Garnett's eyes, isn't going to lead to any kind of sustainable success.

"I think in the course of the year, you are going to have guys be aggressive," Garnett said, "and step out of some things from what we usually do and what we are built to be as far as team. I can understand where he comes from. Our shot selection sometimes is not the best. Obviously, we are trying to get better and it is a long year. We have to play better or we have to play together as a team. I feel like that's where our strengths are.

"Obviously, we've got guys that can put the ball in the basket individually, but when we are going to be as good as we are going to be [is playing] together versus individual. I think for one of our star players to come out and call out our team and not an individual says a lot."

Especially given Johnson's penchant for steering clear of controversy. Deron Williams said he's noticed that "there's definitely selfish play out there at times," but didn't believe it was taking place on countless possessions. Still, he acknowledged that given Johnson's personality, there must be something there if he feels that way.

"Yeah, I mean, he's definitely quiet," Williams said. "He doesn't say too much too often, but when one of the leaders of the team says something like that, you've got to pay attention."

Unlike the players, coach Lionel Hollins said he hasn't detected any selfishness. Maybe that's why he shrugged off Johnson's comments. "I read all of that. It means nothing," Hollins said. "It's one guy's opinion. He's entitled to it."

"All the players should have their own opinion and say what they feel. What they feel has nothing to do with how I feel. If he feels that way, he feels that way. He's entitled to his comments, he's a grown man. I don't try to keep the guys from saying what they felt like saying.

"Now is it a problem? I don't think it is. If it becomes a problem, then I'll have to deal with it. But I don't see it as being a problem. Nobody confronted him about it. It's just comments.

"People make comments, they have feelings, they think things and I think maybe the only thing he [wishes he] might not have said and if he could take it back, he might take back saying 'selfish.' But feeling that we haven't played up to our potential and play the way we need to play against better teams, that's his opinion. My opinion is that it's early in the season and we are playing teams that still have hope, and also we are building. We are building our program and we are not where we want to be, so we hopefully wouldn't be playing the way we are going to be playing later in the year right now.

"So he sees it in a more rushed form. I see it in a future form. He's thinking we need to be doing this right now. Now, do we need to be playing better and moving toward it? It is what it is and you just move with the process."