Mike Mazzeo, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Hollis-Jefferson faces defensive test against NBA's best

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Brooklyn Nets rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson figures to have his hands full in the next two games.

That’s because Hollis-Jefferson -- at some point -- will probably have to guard Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and LeBron James -- arguably three of the top-five scorers in the NBA (Stephen Curry and James Harden being the others).

Brooklyn (3-11) has consecutive road matchups in Oklahoma City (9-6) on Wednesday and Cleveland (11-3) on Saturday.

Hollis-Jefferson, 20, is just 14 games into his NBA career, but he’s already shown glimpses of being a difference-making defender, using his length, quickness and athleticism to his advantage. On Sunday night, he had four steals and a block in the first quarter alone.

Of course, trying to D up against Westbrook, Durant and James is as difficult as it gets, which is why RHJ is always mindful of some specific statistics.

“Me, I try to limit them,” Hollis-Jefferson said Tuesday. “Like, when I’m guarding somebody, I try to limit a certain number -- knowing, all right, they average this many points a quarter -- so I’m going to try to limit players to the best of my ability.

“But it’s hard. They’re great players. I just try my best.”

Hollis-Jefferson added: “Knowing that they’re going to get their points, in your mind, you’re like, ‘All right, that’s one of the greatest players in the game scoring-wise, playing wise. They’re going to get a basket; they’re going to help their team play better.’ You’ve just got to keep [moving on] to the next play and then the next play. You get one stop, ‘All right, let’s try to get another one.’ Keep trying to move forward and progress.”

Joe Johnson, the starting small forward, figures he’ll open up defending Durant and James.

“I’m sure ‘Rookie’ will get his shot, but I’m at the ‘3’ so I gotta start on them,” Johnson said, laughing. “So I’ll try to soften them up for him.”

Just how, exactly, does Johnson plan on doing that?

“I don’t know. I don’t know,” Johnson said. “But those guys are great basketball players, and as defenders, you just gotta make them take tough shots; you can’t let them be comfortable out there on the floor.”

Hollis-Jefferson actually attended basketball camps put on by Durant and James when he was 16 or 17.

“I played both of them, so I think [the thrill of facing them], is out the window now,” he said. “It’s just basketball, competition. You just go out there and compete hard.”

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