The Future of the New Jersey Nets and Deron Williams – NBA Feature
The New Jersey Nets have been in tailspin in the past few seasons, but with the acquisition of All-Star point guard Deron Williams, things are looking up next season, whenever it starts.
The Nets is a unique team, which has won the conference finals in the past, but could not claim a NBA title. It had been an elite team and was once led by one of the best point guards of National Basketball Association, Jason Kidd.
The ten times NBA All Star was later traded in 2008 with the Dallas Mavericks. Two years down the road, the team challenged Philadelphia 76ers for worst record in the league by winning only 12 games out of 70.
After that, a series of changes started in the team. From owner, head coaches, general manager to of course players, everyone was changed even the venue. Mikhail Prokhorov, the richest man of Russia and a former basketball player
bought the Nets’ cheap team worth $295 million.
His fortune of $9.5 billion had solved their financial problems as well as they would improve their own fortune in the upcoming years. The new arena in Brooklyn would have a positive impact as New York is the largest market in
the world.
In February 2011, Williams was traded to the Nets. Rumours were there that Williams was not traded rather punished for his bitter quarrel with Jerry Sloan, who was the head coach of the Jazz. There is a possibility that Williams
would not be much happy but now that he is on board for the next season, the question arises that, will he be a solution for the Nets growth in the long run?
As far as his performance is concerned, there are no doubts as he had proved himself a capable point guard by averaging 17 points, 9 assists and a field goal percentage of 46. He had played a significant role in leading the Jazz
to four successive playoffs in which he averaged over 20 points and nine assists per game.
Williams made his impact on the Nets in 12 games, as the Nets were one of highest scoring teams after he joined and his average was 12.8 assists per game.
He made a record in NBA with his 47 assists in his first three games played with a new team and scored double doubles in his first five games.
Williams’ stay in the Nets will attract other free agents for the next season. His combo with one of the best centres of the league in Brook Lopez will make a strong base to build upon a team.
The guard, Marshon Brooks could be a good partner of Williams in the backcourt as he scored about 25 points in the last season he played in his college.
The Nets should consider re-signing of a legitimate power forward, Kris Humphries, whose averages would increase in Williams’ presence. Even if his price would be higher once the lockout ends, they should replace him by trade or
with a free agent like David West or Andrei Kirilenko.
Dwight Howard would the most sought out players once the free agency begins and Williams would be looking forward to his addition in the Nets.
If the injuries will stay away from Williams and the team perform well enough to make him stay with them, then the Nets are blessed with the assets and flexibility in cap to build a winning team.
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