Chris Vivlamore, the Hawks beat writer for Atlanta Journal-Constitution, caught up with former Hawk and newly minted Net, Taurean Prince, to talk how he’s adjusting to Brooklyn.

Vivlamore said that once Prince got acclimated after the trade that sent Allen Crabbe (and two first round picks to Atlanta), he asked the Nets what they wanted from him.

“I actually asked them and they just said ‘Be yourself,’” Prince told Vivlemore Monday while he watched new teammates in a Summer League contest. “As a basketball player that’s a golden response that you could ever receive from a coach to be yourself and do what you do. As long as I play defense, I will be on the floor.”

What’s “be yourself” mean? In the Nets motion-based offense with its premium on three point shots, that means playing wide open basketball. And Prince has a reputation of being able to score from anywhere. Vivlemore says Prince was more comfortable in Mike Budenholzers’ (and Kenny Atkinson’s) system than he was last season under Lloyd Pierce. Prince doesn’t disagree.

“I’m glad to be back in a system that allows you to do your thing, as long as you stick to the guidelines defensively and what they are trying to accomplish,” Prince said. “This type of offense allows you to flourish as a basketball player.”

“New start, new vibes”

Indeed, the Nets expect him to flourish. They are reported high on the 25-year-old, who was after all, the 12th pick in the 2016 Draft. Prince has career averages of 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in this 196 games. His career shooting average from three is 38 percent. His defensive skills were the best on the Hawks wing.

And he’s an F.O.K., a friend of Kevin’s.

Prince likes the idea of having Durant and Kyrie Irving on the roster, even better than if they weren’t. But he was happy coming to Brooklyn without them. He spoke the other day about how the Nets have to be considered a championship contender with Durant and Kyrie Irving.

“Even before that I thought it was a great situation,” Prince said of the singing of the two all-stars. “They play a lot of fun basketball. They play together. I like the system. Adding them was the whipped cream and the cherry on top.”-

• Prince asked, Nets answered: Just ‘be yourself’ - Chris Vivlamore - Atlanta Journal-Constitution