After a summer full of successes, the Nets’ training camp preparation has hit a slight speed bump.
Star point guard Deron Williams recently sprained his right ankle while working out in Utah, and also has a bone bruise. He is currently in a walking boot to help the healing process, but he is expected to be ready when training camp opens in a little less than two weeks at Duke University.
Williams played through issues with both ankles in the first half of last season, eventually receiving platelet-rich plasma treatment in both ankles and missing the final two games before the All-Star break. Williams, who is hosting a charity dodgeball tournament in New York on Thursday, looked like a different player after the break. He went from averages of 16.7 points, 7.6 assists and 34.7 percent shooting from 3-point range in 50 games before the All-Star Game to 22.9 points, 8.0 assists and 42 percent shooting from 3-point range in 28 games afterwards.
While the Nets have made plenty of moves to bolster the team this offseason — including trading for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry, re-signing Andray Blatche and signing Andrei Kirilenko, Shaun Livingston and Alan Anderson in free agency — Williams is expected to be the team’s engine under the leadership of his new coach and friend, Jason Kidd. Williams, 29, has been touted by Pierce, among others, as a potential MVP candidate this season.