The Buyout of Deron Williams: Addition By Subtraction
For a group that got considerably younger in comparison to last season, (nearly a 3-year drop in average age) one of the keys to success this year will be camaraderie. As a core of young players grabbing at the chance to prove that they belong in this league, the team will undoubtedly go through difficult stretches in the season. They lack experience, but they’ll aim to make up for it with heart and hustle.
The Brooklyn Nets will have a full 20-man roster going into training camp. It’ll be a bloodbath between journeymen and newcomers alike, gunning for the last few available spots on the roster. One thing’s for sure: those who make the team will want to be there, and give their all in favor of the team’s success.
As for Deron Williams, many thought he had given up on his tenure in Brooklyn well before it was over. “I think he had one foot out the door,” a league executive said. “When you don’t work out somewhere and you’re looking for the exit door, you’re not going to be as productive at work.”
It seemed as if the criticism aimed at D-Will was never ending. Former teammate Paul Pierce was on the record bashing Williams’ work ethic as well.
“Before I got there, I looked at Deron as an MVP candidate. But I felt once we got there, that’s not what he wanted to be. He just didn’t want that. I feel like the pressure got to him.”
Reggie Miller then piled on, agreeing with Pierce, “I don’t really like to kill guys but you have to call a spade a spade. I think he’s right on.”
It was no secret that Williams was seen as a black cloud in and out of the locker room. His attitude was sour, he wasn’t a leader, and he didn’t want to be there. Not all of the criticism was unwarranted, as his numbers took a steady decline since arriving in Brooklyn.
2010-2011 season: 15.0 points, 12.8 assists (in 12 games)
2011-2012: 21.0 PPG and 8.7 APG (55 games)
2012-2013: 18.9 PPG and 7.7 APG. (78 games)
2013-2014: 14.3 PPG and 6.1 APG. (64 games)
2014-2015: 13.0 PPG and 6.6 APG. (68 games)
The perplexingly slow decline of a player that was once considered to be the best point guard in the game is enough to garner criticism from all angles, whether it be fans, analysts, teammates or front office guys.
Even during his weakest season, it’s probably true that Williams was a better player than Jack. It will probably also be true that he would be a better option, statistically speaking, than the combination of Jack, Larkin, and Sloan. But what Nets fans hope to be true, is that the severance between Williams and the Nets will have a beneficial effect that is unquantifiable. As of now, it’s impossible to gage how much better a player does due to the absence of another. We don’t quite have the advanced analytics to prove whether the absence of Williams’ bad attitude really amplifies good play throughout his former team. But based on human nature, we sure can hope.
What readers said at the time
2 replies came in under this piece in 2015, and they are kept here as they were written — the readers’ words, not ours, spelling and all. The thread is closed; the desk does not take new comments.
jerry2527 September 2015
Dallas is going to have the same problem as Brooklyn, with DWill, if not worse.
Deron may be slated to be a starter, but if he performs as poorly on offense as he did this past season, and if he has pouting moments, he’s going to be coming off the bench in favor of Devin Harris.
Rick Carlisle has shown that he doesn’t tolerate any nonsense with his PGs.
And if DWill’s minutes become limited to less than 30 per game and if he’s not finishing games, he’s likely to start pouting.Most important though for DWill is his bad ankles after all the damaging steroid injections, combined with the normal effect that aging has on the legs. DWill couldn’t finish at the rim (I think he hit 45% of his contested layups last year), and that in turn affects the rest of his game and his confidence. DWill’s only hope, IMO, is if the extra rest was needed for his ankles to recover. Even if the season starts off well for DWill, his ankles may revert with all the wear and tear.
I’m also expecting Jack to have a better season than DWill did last year, especially on offense. Nets were 7-6 when Jack started and DWill was his backup. The rest of the Nets team is upgraded (if healthy) over last season, so clearly Nets can will with Jack starting. That argument over Jack will have to continue after the season begins.
Regarding the “bloodbath” of competition among new players, I don’t think that will be the case.
Harper, Jones and likely Daniels were signed to a “summer contract” per Basketball Insiders:http://www.basketballinsiders.com/brooklyn-nets-team-salary/
That means they will have ZERO chance to make team barring a major trade or major injuries.
Twelve players are under full contract, but already 500K has been committed to Willie Brown, and by next week Markel Brown will be fully guaranteed. Brown has NOT demonstrate that he has a near term future as a PG.That leaves only 1 opening in the roster, and Hollins has repeated that he wants a 3rd PG.
That means that the only contest is between the rookie Boatright and the veteran D-League/3rd stringer, Donald Sloan. Many believe that Sloan is a shoe in for the 15th slot, however he has little upside (compared with Boatright). Also, the signing of Sloan over Boatright will push the Nets closer to the Tax Line by about $425,000. Already all of the Nets summer signings are inching the Nets closer to the dreaded Tax penalties. Its not worth it to sign Sloan, who would only play in garbage time, provided that Jack and Larkin are healthy.
I’ll be rooting for Boatright to continue to shoot the lights out (like in Summer League) with great ball control not seen by a Nets PG in years. Hopefully if Sloan doesn’t totally outshine Boatright, King will take a chance with the less experienced and shorter player who will have to learn the PG position.jerry2528 September 2015
correction: I meant to say Willie Reed (not Brown) who has $500,000 already guaranteed, and therefore would have to stink, not to make team.
And Billy King last week said he wouldn’t rule out having a 4th PG (not sure who would be cut), but that makes it more certain to have a 3rd PG.