Trendon Watford hopes to continue helping Nets knock rust off in NBA Cup tilt
Trendon Watford tying for the Nets’ best plus-minus on Sunday was as much a recrimination of how poorly they played as how well his season debut went.
The Nets forward had been sidelined since camp with a hamstring injury, finally making his debut in their 114-104 loss to the Knicks at the Garden.
Watford had four points, three assists and three rebounds in 13 minutes.
His plus-4 was tied with Cam Johnson for the best on the team, and he was looking forward to continuing to knock the rust off in Tuesday’s NBA Cup tilt against Charlotte.
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks blocks Trendon Watford #9 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half. Jason Szenes / New York Post
“I couldn’t wait to get out there, man. The energy has been great. The vibe has been great,” Watford said. “So it feels good. Just glad to be back out there.”
Watford averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds last season, but upped that to 12.9 points and 5.7 boards over the final 11 games.
“Yeah, just how I ended the season last year, really just trying to be consistent with that, just being a little bit of a playmaker, doing everything,” Watford said. “I’ll get better with time and just try keeping that role I had last year, just being that guy to do a little bit everything, guard every position. So trying to be that for the team.”
Brooklyn Nets forward Trendon Watford (9) takes a three-point shot past New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“I’m just kind of everything. [On Sunday,] I was playing the point a lot, came in for [Dennis Schroder]. Never know what the next game might bring. So I’m trying to not put myself in a box and just trying to be whatever I can, Swiss army knife for this team and just play wherever I can and whatever Jordi [Fernandez] wants me to play.”
Having a secondary playmaker with size (6-foot-9, 242 pounds) could be helpful, especially with both Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe hurt.
It’s a role that Ben Simmons — pressed into playing center — normally fills.
Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets drives down court as Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks realizes Simmons is behind him during the second half. Jason Szenes / New York Post
“Yeah, we’re sort of alike as far as just our playmaking,” said Watford. “But we’re different also. So, just want to be myself, and try to keep things going how it’s going. Jordi just told me to pick my spots and be aggressive, don’t think too much. So that’s what I try to do, and just try to keep this going forward and get more comfortable.”
Cam Johnson has five 20-point outings in 14 appearances after just six all of last season.
After Noah Clowney was just 7-for-26 (.269) from deep through his first eight games, he’s 10-for-22 (.455) since.
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Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain) and Ziaire Williams (right hip tightness) are both listed as probable for Tuesday.
Williams started the season 8-for-12 from deep, but he’s just 6-for-36 since. His 3-point percentage is now down to 29.2, under his 30.0 career mark.
Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot injury recovery), Nic Claxton (lower back strain) and Day’Ron Sharpe (left hamstring strain) are all out injured, while Jacky Cui, Jaylen Martin and Dariq Whitehead will be with G-League Long Island.
Charlotte’s Tre Mann is questionable with low back soreness, while DaQuan Jeffries, Jared Rhoden, Nick Richards, KJ Simpson, Nick Smith Jr. and Mark Williams are out.
