Brooklyn Guard Jason Terry Says Nets Are in 'Desperation' Mode After Slow Start

Desperation. 

It's a word just reeking with negative connotations. Usually we hear it used to describe a jilted girlfriend or boyfriend who will try to do anything necessary to win back her or his significant other. We hear it blurted out as a quarterback lets a Hail Mary fly from midfield. Or how about the desperation heave from half-court right before the buzzer sounds to end a tight basketball game? 

Now we're hearing it from the lips of Jason Terry, who has revealed that the Brooklyn Nets are already beginning to experience a bit of panic about the team's slow start to the season. 

"It’s a long season," Terry told to NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper. "You’d like to say, 'Stay even-keeled.' But for us right now, this is desperation. Everyone that steps on the floor on Friday should feel desperation and come out and play with a sense of urgency. If you don’t you’ll be looking at another loss. It’s what it is."

As ESPN New York's Mike Mazzeo wrote following an embarrassing 107-86 loss to the Sacramento Kings, "Maybe it's not time to push the panic button yet, but there are several fans who at least have their fingers on it."

A 2-5 start will force a supposed contender to stoop to this level. 

The Nets enjoyed a much-ballyhooed offseason, landing Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry and Andrei Kirilenko without giving up Deron Williams, Brook Lopez or Joe Johnson. The word "superteam" was thrown about, as Brooklyn might have found a bunch capable of ending the Miami Heat's three-peat dreams. 

Whoops. 

Now they're desperate after failing to play consistently mediocre offense or defense—not even "consistently good"—over the first seven games of the 2013-14 campaign.

Terry went on to compare the early portion of the season to a butt-whooping during a pickup basketball game. 

Even after getting smoked three or four times, it's important to step back onto the blacktop and show what you can do. Maybe you'll get posterized a few more times and experience another humiliating defeat, but maybe you'll catch fire and get back on track. 

The Nets have to at least try, and that's exactly what it sounds like Terry wants from his teammates.