What Lonnie Walker IV has to do to earn Nets enjoying time

LAS VEGAS — The Nets signed a cadre of veteran minimal gamers this offseason, forged off elsewhere however combating for alternatives in Brooklyn.

Now, they’ll lastly begin bringing a few of that struggle to different groups, opening the preseason Monday towards the Lakers at T-Cell Area.

“It’s nice. There’s lots of grit and grind with this group, lots of guys who really feel like they’re underdogs, received a chip on their shoulder,” Lonnie Walker IV stated. “So the aggressive nature of our practices are one-of-one.”

Walker can be dealing with his former group, having spent final season in Los Angeles after his first 4 years in San Antonio.

The taking pictures guard averaged 11.7 factors within the common season and 10.6 on 38.9 p.c from 3-point vary within the Lakers’ Western Convention semifinal win over Golden State.

“[They’re] nonetheless household on the finish of the day; grew a bond with them, so it’s good,” Walker stated. “However I’m right here. I’m a Nets fan now. I’m over right here. We’re making an attempt to play our greatest individually and as a group and, you already know, proceed to develop.”

Together with Walker, the Nets additionally inked Dennis Smith Jr., Darius Bazley and Trendon Watford on veteran minimal offers, and Harry Giles on an Exhibit 10 deal.

Whereas there may be open area on the camp roster, combating for spots within the rotation goes to be powerful with a reasonably set top-seven.

For that, Walker must present effectively on each ends of the ground.

“I feel general he’s nonetheless making an attempt to really feel how he matches in, first group [or] second group,” coach Jacque Vaughn stated. “[He] can perform a little little bit of every little thing. I feel, for me, the power to provide him easy duties on each ends of the ground will permit him to flourish.

“He has capability to get to the rim. We would like him to emphasise that first, then the power to stretch the ground for us, so we would like these high quality photographs on the offensive finish. After which he’s received to be a man that’s detailed on the defensive finish, can’t miss the field out, has to have nice closeouts, needs to be an amazing group defender.”

Walker, 24, stated his fellow Nets’ protection has been infectious.

“Pleasure. The extra you’ve your teammates egging you on and seeing you play protection they usually’re enjoying protection, it solely makes you wish to work more durable and play more durable,” Walker stated. “So having these gamers who simply have that competitiveness has solely been improved in my sport as I’ve been making an attempt to determine my rhythm. So, it’s nice to have a gaggle set of men who actually simply wish to show to the world what they’re able to doing.”

Vaughn and several other gamers attended Recreation 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Liberty and Aces at Michelob Extremely Area. The Liberty, who misplaced 99-82, are additionally owned by Nets group proprietor Joe Tsai.