The Brooklyn rookie took the offensive facilitator and attacker role, leading to a new accolade he hit versus Chicago.
Nolan Traore took the mantle of tone setter for the Brooklyn Nets. All on a night Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Demin sat out.
The rookie delivered a new milestone against the Chicago Bulls: His first double-double after scoring 13 points and dishing out 13 assists in the 123-115 home win on Monday.
Traore sat in front of reporters addressing his big night after the huge win -- as the Nets win the season series against Chicago at 3-1.
"It's good because we're learning how to play with each other better. It's great for the team," Traore began.
But he's noticing one aspect of the NBA game that's benefitting him on the floor.
"It's a little bit slower with the experience you get. Now it's getting better and hope it continues," Traore said.
Having Nic Caxton alongside him benefitted greatly. The big set up Traore by using his frame for a big reason.
"You have to give credit to my teammates. Clax especially hit some good screens," Traore said, as that element allowed him to attack the holes created in the Bulls defense. "He opens up the court so I can make decisions."
He acknowledged that their floor chemistry took some time.
"It's an everyday thing in learning how to give good lobs and be in a good situation -- and he learns how to screen me better so we can get the ball better. It's a day-to-day thing," Traore said. "I just keep going and keep working."
However, the French star is noticing one aspect of the NBA side of things that's starting to benefit him more greatly each night.
"I have more spacing in the NBA and you have good shooters. It's easier for me with my speed to take advantage of that," he said.
Outside of building his cohesion with "Clax," Traore adds another relationship building process he's heavily involved in -- one with his head coach Jordi Fernandez.
"He trusts me a lot with the ball and sometimes I can call the plays," Traore said.
It's a growing camaraderie too Traore says with his head coach
"We've built this relationship with time and it's going to be better," Traore said.
Traore is now averaging 10.7 points per game in his last six starts with 4.5 assists.
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