Does anyone need any more proof that Deron Williams is the most important asset the Nets and Barclays Center have right now?
He single-handedly led the Nets to a 104-101 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday with a career-high, franchise-record 57 points. Yes, you read that right. He scored 57 points. Yes, the Bobcats are awful, but 57 points is 57 points.
Proof of Williams’ worth to the Nets was evident in their 101-78 loss to the Heat on Tuesday night. Williams scored 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting. Just imagine if Williams didn’t play on Tuesday. That score would’ve been something like 120-60. Williams added four assists in the loss.
All of this points to something that we all have been harping on: The Nets absolutely, positively have to get him some help at the trade deadline. Nets coach Avery Johnson likened Williams’ performance against Charlotte to some of Michael Jordan’s greatest games. OK, it wasn’t quite like the 63 points Jordan scored against the Celtics in the playoffs, but his impact on the team is above question.
Williams has got to be part of the Nets’ move to Brooklyn next season. The team can’t open the arena without marquee names on the roster. It’s been reported that Brook Lopez’s ankle injury will have no effect on the Nets’ ability to move him for Dwight Howard.
Truth be told, Howard had to be impressed with Williams’ performance. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if he got on the phone with his agent after seeing what Williams did and ordered an immediate trade to the Nets. That might be wishful thinking on the part of the Nets and their fans, who are now beginning to experience the type of playoff droughts they did in the pre-Jason Kidd era.
Can GM Billy King turn this thing around in time? If Superman, uh, we mean Dwight Howard, is in a Nets uniform and catching alley-oops from Williams at any point in the next several months, yes.