The Nets are still in the market for a backup point guard, but Deron Williams’ understudy next season already may be on the roster.
While Jason Kidd’s head coaching debut will be the biggest Nets storyline when the franchise’s entry in the Orlando Summer League begins play Sunday afternoon against Detroit, the five games there next week are equally important to the future of second-year point guard Tyshawn Taylor.
“Well, we don’t look at it as a hole,” Kidd said of the open backup point guard spot. “This is Tyshawn’s chance to show us as a coaching staff that he wants to be the backup. He has every opportunity for that spot, and I’m going to do everything to push him so he can get it.”
Both Kidd and Nets general manager Billy King have made it clear Taylor, who spent much of last season watching from the sidelines, will get a legitimate shot at being the backup behind Williams. Taylor said is excited to show his new coach and coaching staff what he’s capable of doing.
“I think the biggest thing for me is just having the opportunity,” Taylor said after yesterday’s morning practice session. “I want to at least be able to compete for it. I don’t want to be looking at the roster and say, ‘This guy is here, this guy is here, this guy is here, I’m definitely not going to play.’
“I want to be on there and be like, ‘I can play, I can compete.’ I felt like that last year, but that just wasn’t the situation. I’m excited about this year. I think we’re going to have a great team, and just to get on the court with the guys we’re going to play with is amazing. To be on the court and be a factor I think would be even better.”
Taylor spent the majority of his rookie season sitting behind Williams and C.J. Watson. But after Watson agreed to a two-year deal with the Pacers this week after turning down his player option with the Nets for next season and becoming an unrestricted free agent, the backup job is Taylor ‘s to try and seize.
Though there were only three games in which Taylor played 20 or more minutes last season, he showed what he’s capable of in an overtime win against the Pacers in February. He finished with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes, including a pair of baskets to open overtime and propel the Nets to victory.
“It’s definitely a confidence booster, with the opportunity that I’m good enough to play and good enough to be effective,” Taylor said. “I think those few games I had definitely helped, and I hope my coaching staff takes that into consideration, too, when they consider playing me.
“I just want to show my coaching staff that I can be a point guard … make good decisions with the ball, get my teammates involved and just put pressure on the defense. Be a lock-down defender, or a decent one, anyway, and just run the team.”