EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Bojan Bogdanovic shot 35 percent from the field and 22.7 percent from 3-point range during the preseason.

Playing in the NBA has certainly been an adjustment for him.

Still, Bogdanovic has played with the starters throughout, which has helped him immensely and given him confidence.

“I mean, when you are just coming to a foreign country and learning a different culture -- I know he speaks English, but it’s still a different culture --- and it’s tougher, city life in New York, the NBA versus Europe, the rules are different, and it is an adjustment and he’s gotten more comfortable as we’ve gone along,” Nets coach Lionel Hollins said Saturday.

“He’s progressing. It’s still a process, but I like what he’s done and I’m sure he’ll be a better shooter as we go along. He’s been a good shooter in Europe, but he’s a really good basketball player. I just want him to go out and be aggressive and make plays.”

Asked how his preseason went, Bogdanovic said, “I feel much better now. I can’t wait to start the season. I’m very, very excited.”

Bogdanovic’s 3-point log by game during the preseason: 2-for-4, 0-for-3, 1-for-3, 0-for-3, 0-for-3, 2-for-6.

“I know that in the preseason I didn’t make a lot of shots, but I hope that during the season I’m going to start making them,” he said.

• Hollins remains confident center Brook Lopez will be ready for the season opener. Lopez did not practice Saturday, though. If Lopez cannot play, Hollins said he would start Kevin Garnett in the frontcourt with either Mason Plumlee, Mirza Teletovic or Andrei Kirilenko. Hollins said he hadn’t decided yet.

• Hollins downplayed the tape point guard Deron Williams has been wearing on his right wrist/thumb.

“He got hit on it I guess, I don’t know,” Hollins said. “It hasn’t kept him from playing or being effective. It’s just bruise and bumps of playing in this league, you know.”

Hollins said the tape hasn’t affected D-Will’s shot.

“When he’s played, he’s played with it on and it hasn’t done anything with his shooting. It’s not even an issue,” Hollins said.

• The Nets finished Saturday’s practice with a huddle. They said the word, “Family.”

“I think that’s what we are,” Williams said. “When you have a team that has aspirations of winning a championship and being a good team, you have to be a family -- not only on the court but off the court. So I think that’s where that stems from.”