David Nwaba is giving Kenny Atkinson no choice.
When he plays — infrequently and inconsistently as that may be — he produces. Just look at his past two games — 10 points apiece against the Eastern Conference-contending Celtics and Heat in limited action while playing his trademark physical defense.
“He’s earning himself more playing time,” said Atkinson, the Nets’ coach.
Oddly, after scoring 10 points in 19 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics, Nwaba didn’t get off the bench in Friday’s rematch. But against the Heat on Sunday, he was part of Atkinson’s rotation and was productive again — Nwaba had a plus-two rating — with the coach later raving about his physicality and defensive acumen.