OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Ziaire Williams played well all through the Nets’ summer open runs, and carried that through training camp.
Now the Nets’ latest reclamation project followed that up with a strong outing in Tuesday’s 115-106 preseason-opening loss to the Clippers.
“I’m trying to reinvent myself, show people that I belong in this league,” Williams said. “I’m trying to work my hardest every day. Just put all my heart, my soul out there on defensive, and carry that over to the offensive end.
“I’m just trying to play hard. I’m a student of the game. I work hard. I’m the first one in, last one out; so I just trust in my work, trust in God and just allowing everything else to flow.”
Williams, a 2021 lottery pick in Memphis who was essentially acquired as a salary dump, had 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting with three steals in 23 minutes.
His athletic open court play and cutting ability is a perfect fit for the way Jordi Fernandez wants to coach and Ben Simmons wants to play.
“Shoot, that’s like bread and butter to me,” Williams said. “I definitely like to run fast, play in the open court, speed the defense and speed the opposing team up, picking up fullcourt.
“So I love it. I played a little fast at Memphis, and I’m glad we’re playing fast here. I’ve been playing fast all my life, whether it’s sprinting, racing friends or playing fast on the court, this is definitely what I like to do best. And I feel like that’s where I thrive the best.”
The Nets played without Nic Claxton, with Jordi Fernandez saying the starting center should be back by Opening Night at the latest.
“We’re not concerned,” Fernandez said. “It was a minor issue with this hamstring. And he’s been working really hard.
“We’re aiming for the beginning of the season, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not going to play preseason games.”
Day’Ron Sharpe, Trendon Watford, Bojan Bogdanovic and Killian Hayes were all out, the latter a late scratch with hip soreness.
“Nothing major,” Fernandez said. “Just making sure he’s OK.”
Kawhi Leonard was out for the Clippers.
“The biggest thing for us is making sure we do right by Kawhi, not getting him hurt instead of trying to get back early. We can’t skip steps. We’ve got to follow the process,” Ty Lue said. “We’re doing everything the right way before we get him on the floor, so if it has him being pissed off at us because we protected him, then so be it.”
