The Brooklyn Nets might have signed several big-name players in the offseason, but the team still revolves around Deron Williams. The point guard returned to the Nets as the center piece of the newly redesigned lineup. As the team targets a championship sooner rather than later, injuries could certainly help the quest. An injury to Williams could be disastrous.
As of now, Williams is uncertain for Brooklyn's season opener. The point guard suffered an ankle injury while playing pick-up basketball in the offseason. He has been limited in practice, seen mostly riding the stationary bike. He has not played a single minute in preseason while being frustrated at his overall health.
"It's frustrating having to sit out, frustrating having to watch them play games in the preseason. Really, practice, practice has been fun to watch; but also frustrating to watch because I can't be out there," Williams said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "They've had a lot of battles out there, a lot of great practices and I want to be a part of them. So at times I feel like I'm not part of this team right now because I'm not out there, I want to be a part of this team when I am practicing."
With additions like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the starting lineup, building chemistry will be the key to the success of the Nets. Williams is doing everything he can to learn the schemes of new head coach Jason Kidd, while noting that he is listening to the advice of his veteran teammates for help.
"Every day it's getting better," Williams said. "We're just being really pre-cautious. Even KG [Kevin Garnett] and Paul [Pierce] know how much I want to get out on the court right now. But I'm just listening to everybody's advice and making sure I'm 110 percent and there's not going to be any lingering effects. I [don't want to] go out here and tweak my ankle and I'm set back another month. I don't want to do that. That's what we're doing right now."
Pierce is telling Williams that he should not attempt to return to the lineup until his ankle is fully healed, in order to prevent future setbacks when the team needs him most. The team opens the season on Oct. 30, but Brooklyn is not in a hurry for Williams to rush back.
"Why come back when you're only 75, 80 percent? Then you come back and you go back down to 50 percent," Pierce said. "We'd rather see a guy take all the rest that he needs and get to 100 percent so he's ready to go."
Brooklyn is slated to make the playoffs. Williams health will be more crucial come January than it is in October.