David Nwaba has been just shy of logging 20 minutes in two of Brooklyn’s last three games. The one game he didn’t come close to the 20-minute mark, the wing didn’t even play.
In fact, there have have been seven instances this season where Nwaba hasn’t logged a minute for the Nets. And there have been other games in which he only received garbage time minutes.
But now the wing has put together back-to-back 10-point performances — in addition to providing his standard, impactful defensive pressure — against two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
He has given Kenny Atkinson something to think about, as the Nets head coach told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Miami Heat:
I thought this was another game we needed his physicality. He was driving the ball to the rim. He’s played well. He’s earning himself more playing time.
Nwaba’s defensive approach hasn’t changed one bit. He’s still looking to get stops every time down the floor — which is exactly what the Nets need from their bench, especially if the defense begins to falter again.
But where Nwaba is trying to make more of an impact is on offense, which he told reporters on Sunday — and, again, has done so in his last two appearances:
Just take the open shots. I [have] been just trying to do that. And just be aggressive going to the basket every opportunity that I get. There [are] opportunities out there. I just gotta help the team on the offensive end, I know I can be there on the defensive end. Just gotta be aggressive every opportunity that I get.
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