Deron Williams Finally Playing Like His Self

Over the first half of the season Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams‘ play was noticeably sub par to his usually All-NBA level standards. But since the All-Star break, Williams has been one of the best players in the NBA.

Williams was only averaging 16.7 points and shooting a mediocre .413 from the field over the Nets first 50 games before the mid-February break. But in 16 games since then Williams has increased his numbers across the board and is averaging 23.6 points, 7.7 assists and shooting .474 from the field and a blazing .440 from three point range. Williams has also scored 30 or more points four times in that span, including hitting 11 threes on his way to 42 points against the Washington Wizards in early March.

The Nets are holding steady in the fourth seed in the East with Williams leading them down the stretch. With other stars Gerald Wallace and Joe Johnson not playing up to their usual potential, Brooklyn has needed Williams leadership and offense more so now than ever. The Nets are only 2 1/2 games behind the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers for the second seed in the East, and obtaining the higher seed is a realistic possibility.

Williams has been on hot streaks before but never like this with the Nets and he is finally looking like the $100 million dollar player the Nets were expecting this season. If Williams can keep this up, the Nets will be as dangerous as any team in the Eastern Conference not named the Miami Heat. It appears as if the Deron Williams who was once known as arguably the best point guard in the NBA is back.