Nets’ Ziaire Williams backs up strong camp with robust season opener

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Ziaire Williams performed properly all by the Nets’ summer season open runs, and carried that by coaching camp.

Now the Nets’ newest reclamation undertaking adopted that up with a powerful outing in Tuesday’s 115-106 preseason-opening loss to the Clippers.

“I’m attempting to reinvent myself, present those who I belong on this league,” Williams stated. “I’m attempting to work my hardest each 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 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 move.”

Williams, a 2021 lottery choose in Memphis who was basically acquired as a wage dump, had 10 factors on 5-of-9 taking pictures with three steals in 23 minutes.

His athletic open courtroom play and slicing potential is an ideal match for the way in which Jordi Fernandez desires to educate and Ben Simmons desires to play.

“Shoot, that’s like bread and butter to me,” Williams stated. “I undoubtedly wish to run quick, play within the open courtroom, velocity the protection and velocity the opposing group up, selecting up fullcourt.

“So I find it irresistible. I performed a bit 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 courtroom, that is undoubtedly what I love to do greatest. And I really feel like that’s the place I thrive the very best.”

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The Nets performed with out Nic Claxton, with Jordi Fernandez saying the beginning middle ought to be again by Opening Night time on the newest.

“We’re not involved,” Fernandez stated. “It was a minor situation 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 have been all out, the latter a late scratch with hip soreness.

“Nothing main,” Fernandez stated. “Simply ensuring he’s OK.”

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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 an alternative of attempting to get again early. We are able to’t skip steps. We’ve acquired to comply with the method,” Ty Lue stated. “We’re doing every little thing the appropriate manner 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.”