Deron Williams Sub Par Play Is Responsible for Brooklyn Nets Struggles

Last summer the Brooklyn Nets were among a slew of NBA teams lined up to ink All-Star point guard Deron Williams to a max contract worth close to $100 million. Williams eventually chose t remain with the Nets, but the franchise hasn’t gotten the Deron Williams they were expecting this season.

Although Williams stats are decent by NBA point guard standards, they are down for a player of Williams’ talent and pay grade. Last season, Williams was good for 21 points and 8.7 assists a game, while this season Williams is only contributing 17.3 points and 7.5 assists, his lowest output in both categories since 2007, Williams’ second NBA season. Playing with scorer Joe Johnson and All-Star Brook Lopez may be partly responsible for the decline in scoring, but Williams hasn’t been his usual attacking self this year.

It’s possible that Williams is still battling nagging injuries, limiting his ability to be as aggressive as he would prefer consistently. If that’s the case then the Nets need to limit Williams’ minutes a bit until the playoffs roll around to avoid risking him further injuring himself and putting any chances the Nets have in jeopardy.

Deron Williams has upped his production lately and is averaging 21.7 points, 7.1 assists and shooting .455 from three-point range since the all star break but the Nets are only 3-4 in those contests.

If the Nets plan to improve on their current sixth seed and make any waves in the Eastern Conference playoffs they are going to need the Deron Williams they invested $100 million in to show up by April, or they’re looking at a first round exit and a long summer.