
Keon Johnson’s ‘maturing as a player’ already evident to Nets in NBA Summer League
NY Post
LAS VEGAS — To get his contract, Keon Johnson has had to get out of the mindset of trying to get his.
The young wing has matured from his rookie season in Portland, when current Brooklyn assistant Steve Hetzel first coached him.
He’s matured even more since last season with the Nets, most of it spent in the G-League.
Friday’s under-control performance — complete with a tough game-winner — was proof that maturation is still ongoing.
And a great step for an unrestricted free agent trying to earn another contract with Brooklyn.
“Happy. I’m very happy. It’s growth; he’s maturing as a player,” said Hetzel, a Nets assistant serving as head coach for Las Vegas Summer League. “The game is slowing down for him, which is allowing him to slow down on the court and he’s making these positive plays.”

Suddenly, someone had hit a rewind button and everyone had been transported back seven months. It was early spring instead of late fall, it was broiling hot outside the arena walls and not freezing cold. Everyone was back at TD Garden. There were 19,156 frenzied fans on their feet begging for blood, poised for the kill.












