The Brooklyn Nets might have added two of the biggest names in the NBA, the team still belongs to one man, Deron Williams. New coach Jason Kidd has spent much of the offseason formulating his offensive plan now that the Nets also have Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett added into the starting lineup. He understands how big of a role those veterans will play, but notes that Williams' touches on the ball will remain the most crucial aspect of the team.
As reported by New York Daily News, Kidd is planning a big season for the point guard. Both Williams and Kidd have had a very strong relationship both on and off the court which could lead to big things happening in Brooklyn. If Kidd has it his way, those big things will include double-digit assists by Williams.
"I'm going to push him. I want the best for him," Kidd said. "When we sit down and talk about goals, team goals and also individual goals, I'm going to push him and I want to get him back to double-digit assists."
Williams averaged four straight seasons of at least 10 assists up until 2010-11. Last year, he only averaged 7.7 assists, his lowest average since his rookie season. As a result, Williams' shooting percentage also dropped. Williams can easily make the mark set by Kidd. He averaged at least 10 assists during his time with the Utah Jazz, while also putting up 12.8 assists with the New Jersey Nets in 2011.
Williams should enter the season looking much better than he did in the beginning of the 2012 season. The point guard had undergone several ankle injuries that caused him to enter the year as overweight. However, after the All-Star break, he dropped 15 pounds and improved his overall fitness.
Now, Williams will once again be the nucleus of the team. Kidd is a former point guard and understands exactly what Williams needs in order to be successful with the team. Last season, Williams ranked seventh in assists among players with at least 30 minutes per game.
"You don't want to take away from Deron's freedom and creativity of putting pressure on the defense," Kidd said. "And I thought he did a great job of that in the second half of last season. When he lost the weight, physically he felt better. His strength is when he's in the open court. So we'll definitely talk about that on the daily, about him making things happen without having to set the ball up."
With the Nets' presumed starting lineup chalked full of All-Star appearances, if Williams can put up double-digit assists then Brooklyn should have no problem being a threat in the Eastern Conference.
