NEW YORK — Lonnie Walker IV has had quite the NBA journey up to this point in his career when he is getting crucial buckets for the Brooklyn Nets. He went from being the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft to getting one-year deals in back-to-back seasons from the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn currently. He hasn’t let his recent contracts deter him from getting better as a player though.
“I really put a lot of time and effort into the game,” Walker said after scoring 21 points in Wednesday’s 100-93 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, a performance that has now given Walker his seventh straight game of scoring in double figures. Walker has been such a value for the Nets as he is now averaging 15.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 52.4% from the field and 43.3% from deep. Walker says that it’s a testament to his work ethic.
“I sacrifice a lot of time and effort into the game. So, what you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. And, I think my work ethic is starting to show just how hard I’ve been working on the court,” Walker said. He was also the catalyst of a Brooklyn bench that scored 45 of the 100 points that the Nets scored as a team as he was seemingly the only player on the roster who had little trouble getting whatever he wanted.
“So, very composed, just a lot of growth. And, truthfully, a lot of confidence from last year,” Walker said, alluding to the experience that he gained from going to the Western Conference Finals last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s clear that experience has been valuable for Walker as he is playing his best basketball right now.
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