Tonight, 8:30pm EST, Deron Williams will make his Net debut, as New Jersey faces the San Antonio Spurs. The Nets have been decimated by the Spurs in the past, but things are quite different this time around. The Nets have a point guard at the helm who is arguably one of the best, if not the best, at his position. Does Deron Williams make the nets that much better? Click below to read more about the Deron Williams’ effect.
On Tuesday, while I was working, I received an instant message saying, “Did you see this trade. It’s crazy.” I knew in my gut that it was the Nets who finally made a move. I went on ESPN, and there it was…”Sources are stating that Deron Williams, of the Utah Jazz, is being traded to the New Jersey Nets.” I called everyone and anyone that would care. I was literally jumping up and down.
I then checked Al Iannazzone’s Twitter feed, as he often knows things first, and he confirmed the rumors (he actually broke the story if I’m not mistaken). I couldn’t believe this was happening. Just a week or so earlier, I had been telling my father, immediately following the Sloan resignation, that if the Nets cannot get Anthony, they should go for someone tough, like WIlliams. We both laughed, and thought that the Nets’ chances of ever getting someone like Williams were similar to the odds of them landing LBJ or Wade. Boy, where we wrong.
So what did the Nets give up to land this superstar? Less than they would have had they have acquired Carmelo. The Nets gave up Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and two first round picks. (The Nets also moved Troy Murphy to Golden State for Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric.) Honestly, I think the Nets did better by acquiring Williams than they would have if they had obtained Carmelo. Yes, ‘Melo is a great player. But when he has the ball, everyone else is taken out of the game. The guy will score 25-30 points a night, but will chuck up 30 some-odd shots a night. With Williams, you’re getting a guy who will score 20+ points a night consistently (something that the Nets haven’t had in a while), and someone who also will make everyone else around him significantly better, as evidenced by his 10+ assists per night. Look for a surge in Brook Lopez’s game especially.
All I can say is that I’m excited to see how all of this plays out. If anything, the Nets should be a significantly better team immediately, with Williams as their floor general. Will they be a playoff team? Odds say no, but hey, it’s the NBA, you never know.
Written By: The Sherwinator
