Hello, Ziare Williams’ Performance Needs to Improve for the Nets
The Nets are counting on Ziare Williams to step up as their top defender if they want to return to the level of play he showcased last year. Unfortunately, what they’ve seen so far this season hasn’t quite lived up to that hope.
Coach Jordi Fernandes is trying different approaches to motivate Williams, starting with conversations and then, more drastically, reducing his playing time. In a clear sign of expectations, Williams found himself as a healthy scratch in the recent matchup against the Knicks.
Whether Williams received the message remains uncertain. The upcoming game against the 76ers will be pivotal—his performance there will be a telling indicator.
“That’s a tough question because I spoke to him about his play, and I chose not to include him in the last game,” Fernandes said. “So, whenever he gets the next chance, if he can maintain that focus, I’ll know it’s working. If not, it falls on me to help him find that consistency.
“Energy is key. We need him to be exceptional with ball pressure, deflections, pick-and-roll defense, and isolation defense. Last year, he was really good, among the top players in the league. We expect nothing less now, maybe even better, because we know he has it in him.”
While Williams has improved his 3-point shooting, the focus for the Nets really needs to be on his defensive prowess. Strangely enough, since signing a two-year deal worth $12.5 million this summer, his performance has notably dropped.
For instance, his defensive rebounding rate fell from the elite 94th percentile down to a troubling 21st percentile. Additionally, his steal percentage has slipped from the 76th percentile to the mid-60s.
His defensive rating has hit a career low, as noted by both League Stats and Basketball Reference. After some early-season nudges to push Williams, Fernandes took a firmer stance recently by pulling him from the rotation entirely.
“I felt the need to challenge him on defense,” he mentioned. “Last year, he excelled in critical areas for us, but I haven’t seen that energy this season. I want him to rise to the challenge.”
“This gives others a chance, but it’s also a time for him to reflect and prepare for the next opportunity. When it arises, he needs to take it and be that elite defender we know he can be.”
Interestingly, while Williams leads the team in deflections, his isolation defense has significantly declined. Previously, he restricted opponents to just 0.79 points per possession with a 39.5 field goal percentage; now, those figures have shifted to 1.09 points with a 50% shooting rate.
Outside of rookie Drake Powell, it seems Williams is still the Nets’ most promising perimeter defender. But it begs the question: can he regain that form?
“Drake has some limitations, and I see similarities with Ziare,” Fernandes remarked. “We’ve had moments where he was our best defender, so I believe he can be consistent in that role moving forward.”
At just 24 years old, Williams has acknowledged his difficulties lately. “I’ve got to enhance my performance for my teammates—execute better and stay connected,” he said, admitting that sometimes he feels he’s letting them down.
“Definitely. I’m trying to juggle a lot. It’s a learning curve, for sure.”
Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr. missed the game against Philadelphia due to a lower back strain. Ben Saraf was upgraded to questionable as he recovers from an ankle injury. Other rookies are still in the G League, and players Cam Thomas and Haywood Highsmith remain sidelined.
