OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Ziaire Williams performed properly all by means of the Nets’ summer time open runs, and carried that by means of coaching camp.
Now the Nets’ newest reclamation challenge adopted that up with a robust outing in Tuesday’s 115-106 preseason-opening loss to the Clippers.
“I’m attempting to reinvent myself, present people who I belong on this league,” Williams stated. “I’m attempting to work my hardest on daily basis. Simply put all my coronary heart, my soul on the market on defensive, and carry that over to the offensive finish.
“I’m simply attempting to play laborious. I’m a pupil of the sport. I work laborious. I’m the primary one in, final one out; so I simply belief in my work, belief in God and simply permitting every little thing else to circulate.”
Williams, a 2021 lottery choose in Memphis who was basically acquired as a wage dump, had 10 factors on 5-of-9 capturing with three steals in 23 minutes.
His athletic open court docket play and slicing capability is an ideal match for the way in which Jordi Fernandez needs to educate and Ben Simmons needs to play.
“Shoot, that’s like bread and butter to me,” Williams stated. “I undoubtedly wish to run quick, play within the open court docket, velocity the protection and velocity the opposing crew up, selecting up fullcourt.
“So I like it. I performed a bit of quick at Memphis, and I’m glad we’re enjoying quick right here. I’ve been enjoying quick all my life, whether or not it’s sprinting, racing pals or enjoying quick on the court docket, that is undoubtedly what I love to do greatest. And I really feel like that’s the place I thrive the most effective.”
The Nets performed with out Nic Claxton, with Jordi Fernandez saying the beginning heart needs to be again by Opening Evening on the newest.
“We’re not involved,” Fernandez stated. “It was a minor problem with this hamstring. And he’s been working actually laborious.
“We’re aiming for the start of the season, however that doesn’t imply that he’s not going to play preseason video games.”
Day’Ron Sharpe, Trendon Watford, Bojan Bogdanovic and Killian Hayes had been all out, the latter a late scratch with hip soreness.
“Nothing main,” Fernandez stated. “Simply ensuring he’s OK.”
Kawhi Leonard was out for the Clippers.
“The most important factor for us is ensuring we do proper by Kawhi, not getting him damage as a substitute of attempting to get again early. We will’t skip steps. We’ve acquired to comply with the method,” Ty Lue stated. “We’re doing every little thing the correct means earlier than we get him on the ground, so if it has him being pissed off at us as a result of we protected him, then so be it.”
