OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Ziaire Williams performed nicely all by way of the Nets’ summer time open runs, and carried that by way 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 making an attempt to reinvent myself, present those that I belong on this league,” Williams stated. “I’m making an attempt to work my hardest day by day. Simply put all my coronary heart, my soul on the market on defensive, and carry that over to the offensive finish.
“I’m simply making an attempt 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 the whole lot else to move.”
Williams, a 2021 lottery choose in Memphis who was primarily 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 potential is an ideal match for the way in which Jordi Fernandez needs to teach and Ben Simmons needs to play.
“Shoot, that’s like bread and butter to me,” Williams stated. “I positively prefer to run quick, play within the open court docket, velocity the protection and velocity the opposing crew up, selecting up fullcourt.
“So I adore it. I performed just a little 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 associates or enjoying quick on the court docket, that is positively what I love to do finest. And I really feel like that’s the place I thrive the very best.”
The Nets performed with out Nic Claxton, with Jordi Fernandez saying the beginning heart ought to be again by Opening Evening on the newest.
“We’re not involved,” Fernandez stated. “It was a minor challenge 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 harm as a substitute of making an attempt to get again early. We are able to’t skip steps. We’ve bought to observe the method,” Ty Lue stated. “We’re doing the whole lot the appropriate approach 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.”
