• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

 

Brooklyn Nets Deron Williams (L) plays against Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry during their NBA TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

D-WILL To Win? (Written by Bobby O’Hara)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Toronto Raptors are said to be a better matchup for the Nets due to the size advantage that the Nets hold. However Brooklyn’s hope really lies in their PG, Deron Williams. For the Nets to beat the Raptors in a 7 game series they will have to hope that PG Deron Williams can continue his aggressive play. Everyone knows that the Raptors rely on their high scoring backcourt made up of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, but when Brooklyn traded for Joe Johnson they marketed themselves as the best backcourt in the NBA. Although Toronto’s duo of guards have been the highest scoring in the league, if Deron can stay aggressive like he showed in Game 1 he could provide just enough points to get the Nets through to the next round of the playoffs.

D-Will put up 24 points on Saturday tying Joe Johnson and was key to the Nets game 1 victory in a hostile Toronto. Perhaps the Nets lead voice in the locker room, Kevin Garnett, mentioned at the Nets practice on Sunday that the Nets point guard is the only thing stopping him from performing his best. “Deron’s biggest problem has been Deron,” Garnett continued. “He’s very, very hard on himself…When he comes out of that, he’s very hard, very, very hard to guard, very difficult to deal with, and we need him to be like that.” He also said “You can tell when he’s passive; you can tell when he’s aggressive,”

The Nets also need D-Will to cover the Raptors highest scoring threat, Kyle Lowry, who scored 22 points on Saturday. Deron stepped up his defense big time in the later stages of the game holding Lowry to just 1-5 from deep in the second half. When asked about Deron’s play in Game 1, Lowry responded by saying “He was aggressive,” Lowry said. “He was really aggressive, and I think that helped him a lot.”

The biggest problem holding Williams back the past few years has been injuries and when he’s been healthy many times he questions himself. But, after getting some rest the last few games of the season and support from his teammates maybe, just maybe, Deron Williams can get back to the way he was in Utah and lead the Nets throughout the NBA Playoffs.

PuresportsNY: Bobby O’Hara

By Bobby O'Hara

Bobby is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting where he studied TV, Radio, and Journalism. Growing up in New Jersey, he is a hometown guy who loves the local fans’ passion for the game. Bobby currently covers football for PureSportsNY. Graduating with awards in both audio and video production, Bobby also produces video and graphics.

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