Steve Nash after Nets' back-to-back losses: We're not a 'defensive roster'

After acquiring James Harden in a trade with the Houston Rockets, the Brooklyn Nets were considered a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. They've been anything but dominant since adding the three-time scoring champion, losing their past two games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nets head coach Steve Nash delivered a blunt assessment of his club following Brooklyn's 125-113 loss to the Cavs on Friday night, encouraging players to be better defensively. 

"We just need to find a way to play harder," Nash said, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews. "Dig deeper. We are not a defensive roster. We have to take more pride, contest more shots, fight, scrap, claw, and that's what I think is missing as much as anything schematic that we're breaking down." 

In both losses to Cleveland, the Nets gave up a combined 134 points in the paint. The team also is giving up the fourth-most points (116.4) per game this season. However, the Nets are also scoring the second-most points (119.8) per game in the NBA. 

Since acquiring Harden, though, Brooklyn is 2-2 and struggling to control players in the paint. By trading Jarrett Allen to the Cavaliers, the Nets now only have DeAndre Jordan as a true center. Jordan struggled to control Andre Drummond and Allen in Brooklyn's losses to Cleveland. 

At 9-8 and seventh in the Eastern Conference, the Nets will take on the Miami Heat Saturday night as they look to get back on track. However, it'll be difficult for the team to control Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. So, like Nash said, they'll have to provide a better defensive effort.