Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Brooklyn Nets are on a nice four-game winning streak and looking like a tough team at the right time of the season, thanks to the great play of their franchise point guard Deron Williams. If Williams can continue to play at this level, the Nets chances of advancing in the postseason will be better than ever.
After not making the All-Star team for the first time in three seasons due to nagging injuries and sub par averages by his standards of 16.7 points, 7.6 assists with an underwhelming .413 shooting percentage. But Williams has begun to play like an All-Star since the break, with Williams averaging 23.2 points and 8.2 assists per game. Over the last four games, Williams has keep his great play going and has turned it up even more and is putting up 26.3 points and nine assists while shooting .507 from the field.
Brooklyn is looking at a first round match up with either the Atlanta Hawks or the Chicago Bulls, both teams that feature decent point guards that will be looking to slow Williams down. The Bulls have Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson while the Hawks have Jeff Teague, but no matter who they play Williams has the clear advantage in skill and experience.
Williams has looked every bit of the $100 million player the Nets were expecting when they extended him last summer. If Williams can continue to play at this high of a level throughout the playoffs and with Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson alongside, the Nets will be a tough out for any team in the East.
