Rejuvenated Deron Williams Leading #Nets Recent Revival
Deron Williams had another strong game last night in the Brooklyn Nets 108-98 victory over the New Orleans Hornets. Williams turned in 21 points and 13 assists and it came on the heels of a great 27-point, 13-assist game that the Nets lost on Monday night at the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Nets have won four of their last five games and much of the success is due to a rejuvenated Williams, who has seemed to turn a corner over the past few weeks.
From Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York
“I think he’s got pretty close to free reign,” Carlesimo said after point guard Deron Williams continued his post All-Star break surge, scoring 21 points, dropping 13 assists and recording just two turnovers in Brooklyn’s 108-98 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night at Barclays Center.
“I try to tell P.J. at times he starts calling a lot of plays and we have to all turn and look and it kind of slows down the game and it slows down our rhythm and we don’t flow as well and guys get out of rhythm,” Williams said. “I have no problem with him calling plays, but at times, when we get it (off a rebounder or a stop), let us push it and I know how to spread the floor and get everybody involved.”
“I just think that he’s in a good place now, physically, emotionally,” Carlesimo said. “He’s managing the game very, very well and being more vocal in practices, in timeouts and that’s a good thing.”
John Paolantonio, SNYNets.com
This is the Deron Williams that was missing in action the first half of the season. Welcome Back.The comments by Williams last night about being more vocal with P.J. Carlesimo in allowing him to run the offense is very encouraging. It is something that has been long overdue.
The D-Will we are watching post all-star break is something that we all watched in Utah and New Jersey – when healthy. He plays much better with a bit of freedom and flow to his game.
The last five games have been exactly what all Nets fans should be looking for from this point on. The energy level and overall floor game has been a joy to watch and he is leading the team rather than simply running an offense. He has used more hesitation dribbles and crossovers over this recent four games in five nights stretch than he has all year combined.
It is quite evident that he is the healthiest he has been all year and the numbers don’t lie. Post All-Star break, Williams is averaging 23.3 points and eight assists while shooting an amazing 47 percent from 3-point range.
The past five games alone Williams has 45 assists and only nine turnovers.
He just became the sixth-fastest member of the 10,000-point, 5,000-assist club and also set an NBA record for most 3-pointers in a half against the Wizards back on March 8.
And this all occurred with a banged up Joe Johnson. With Johnson set to return on Sunday—and hopefully, healthier after five days rest—the Nets will only be stronger.
Nets fans should be feeling very good about their chances if this D-Will is here to stay.
comments: