Steve Nash explains the one big issue with Nets after another loss to Cleveland

After another loss by the Brooklyn Nets, Steve Nash had some explaining to do.

While these Cleveland Cavaliers are no slouches — especially with the emergence of Collin Sexton in recent games — the Nets were expected to be among the Eastern Conference’s elite when they traded for James Harden, previously a star for the Houston Rockets.

Thus far, it hasn’t been without bumps in the road. With just Harden and Kevin Durant, who have familiarity playing with one another due to their early Oklahoma City days, the Nets performed admirably, even beating the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Kyrie Irving in the fold, the Nets are 0-2, with both losses coming against the Cavs.

Nash thinks the team needs to re-dedicate themselves on the defensive end

In two games with Irving, the Nets have given up 147 (2OT) and 125 points. Heck, even before Irving joined them, the Nets allowed 115 points to the Magic and 123 to the Bucks, both in narrow victories. While the modern NBA does have plenty of scoring, no team in recent memory has struggled this much on the defensive end and made a Finals run. At some point, a defensive presence and commitment to stopping opponents must be established.

“We’re not a defensive roster, we have to take more pride and we have to win more 50-50s, contest more shots, fight, scrap, claw. And that’s what I think is missing as much as anything schematic that we’re breaking down,” Nash said, per the New York Post’s Brian Lewis, following the latest defeat at the hands of the Cavaliers.

The former league MVP is absolutely right in this regard. While he himself wasn’t exactly known for his ability on the defensive end of the floor, the likes of the Lakers and/or Bucks will tear this Nets team apart in a seven-game playoff series should they not learn to work together and compete defensively. With three stars in tow — two of which in Irving and Harden that aren’t exactly known for their defensive prowess — that’s a tough ask.

Harden demanded a deal to Brooklyn to compete for a championship. It’s early, and the kinks will be worked out over the course of the long season. But should they wish to take the jump from League Pass All-Stars to NBA Title favorite, they’ll need to prove they can remain as committed as defense as they are to upping their scoring averages.