SAN ANTONIO — Ziare Williams’ Journey with the Nets
Ziare Williams found himself released by the Memphis team partly due to his inconsistent shooting. However, things have taken a positive turn for him since joining the Nets, where an enhanced three-point shot is now securing him more playing time.
Williams, who previously struggled as a shooter, entered Sunday’s match against the Spurs boasting an impressive 54.5 percent success rate from beyond the arc. This followed a standout performance on Friday, where he netted six of nine three-point attempts in the home opener against the Cavaliers.
His percentage places him among the top 10 in the league for players attempting at least 5.5 shots from three, according to Basketball Reference. Quite the improvement from his earlier days!
“Definitely. I mean, I worked hard every single day this summer,” the 24-year-old shared regarding his offseason efforts. “I practiced three times daily, taking thousands of shots, focusing on various footwork.”
“I really believe every shot I take in games is something I’ve practiced. You get what you invest, so I try to have faith in God and in my hard work. I’m really glad I managed to make some shots,” he added.
The Nets brought Williams on board during a roster reshuffle, following his trade from the Grizzlies, where he had been known more for his defense than his scoring ability.
The team’s restructuring was spurred after Mikal Bridges moved to the Knicks, and overshadowing this was Mamadi Diakité, who was also part of a deal involving the acquisition of first-round picks. The Nets exchanged him and received Williams along with a future second-round pick.
Notably, Williams had recorded a career-high of 34.1 percent shooting from deep last season, highlighting the distance he covered to improve his game. Nevertheless, his youthful energy and defensive skills encouraged the Nets to commit to a two-year contract worth $12.5 million this offseason, with one year contingent on the team’s option.
Early signs from the preseason and the first couple of games indicate that the Nets are reaping the rewards of their investment. In the game against the Cavaliers, Williams scored 25 points off the bench, matching his career highs for both total baskets and three-pointers.
Although the Nets fell short against the Cavaliers after closing a 25-point deficit to just a single point, Williams shone in the fourth quarter, contributing significantly in a span where he logged a plus-17 rating.
Looking ahead, Cam Thomas is expected to play against the Spurs despite suffering a broken nose, while Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Haywood Highsmith are sidelined with injuries.
Coach Jordi Fernandez commented on Williams’ performance, stating, “He was really active and shot well, so we felt it was essential for him to be on the court at certain times.”
The Nets’ strategy to acquire five first-round picks has drawn comparisons to the previous days of the Brooklyn team, according to Kenny Atkinson.
“I think of Joe Harris; he struggled in his first year. There were doubts, for sure. Yet we’ve seen how taking guys through the NBA experience helps their growth. That seems to be the approach here, learning while playing, and hoping to be contenders in a couple of years,” he said.
