Terrence Williams loves his crash course indoctrination into the pros with the Nets. Do some of this, lots of that, get some of those. And oh yeah, do it at both ends of the floor at several different positions.
So far, Williams is doing just fine. There’s a little question of knowing what’s a good shot and what’s a bad shot — “In college whatever I shot, I felt it was a good shot,” he said — but there haven’t been many complaints so far from those who count.”I’m learning a lot. I feel I’m getting more comfortable each day,” said Williams, a do-it-all — and do it well — type. “It gets tough at times because you have to adjust a lot. You go from guarding (Andre) Iguodala and then switch over and guard Louis Williams. It’s tough like that. But I think I’m up for the challenge, definitely.”
Williams was assigned to Iguodala on Friday in Philly and did a commendable job against the guy he studied while in college, because many compared their games — a guy who does some of everything, a guy who passes, defends, scores, rebounds. In the Nets’ 93-92 loss to the Sixers, Williams showed that type of all-around game: 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals. Oh, there were mistakes. But there was more than enough to impress the bosses.
“Defensively, he took a great challenge,” coach Lawrence Frank said. “We said from the beginning, he’s got the right DNA, especially for what we’re trying to establish here — a defensive-minded guy who’s going to play at a high energy level. If he continues the normal learning process, things are going to be very good.”
There should be some more on-the-job learning today as Williams, the first round pick (No. 11) from Louisville, will get some back-up point guard duties in Boston. Devin Harris (left ankle, not serious) will sit as a precaution. Keyon Dooling remains out, so Rafer Alston starts.