AUBURN HILLS, Mich.– If the All-Star weekend in Orlando is going to be a celebration of Dwight Howard by the Magic, the Nets will have an inside man to whisper words like “Brooklyn … Prokhorov … business opportunities” in the superstar center’s ear throughout the event. And that would be Deron Williams.
Williams, a close friend of Howard, became the sixth Nets point guard in the team’s NBA era to be selected to play in an All-Star Game when he was announced among the reserves selected by a ballot of coaches last night.
“Definitely, it’s an honor to make the All-Star team,” said Williams, an All-Star with Utah in 2010 and 2011. “I’ve made it twice [before], and it’s always great to go down there and be a part of the All-Star weekend. The festivities are great. The NBA does a great job of putting on a lot of events. It’s not just basketball events, but in the community and giving back. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”
On his Twitter account, Williams thanked the coaches for the selection.
“I am very honored to be selected to this year’s All-Star Game, and I would like to thank all of the coaches in the Eastern Conference,” he tweeted.
For the Nets beyond the obvious of having one of their own honored, Williams’ inclusion is a great recruiting tool.
“It’s good for our program,” said coach Avery Johnson, whose gang will have MarShon Brooks in the rookie-sophomore game and very possibly Anthony Morrow in the 3-point shootout. “Whenever you have guys going and representing your organization in an All-Star weekend, it’s a plus.”
If those Nets want to do some recruiting while there, make it an A-plus. Howard, the East’s starting center, will be the overwhelming storyline at the event that culminates with the All-Star Game Feb. 26. Howard remains the Nets’ targeted prize for the move to Brooklyn, and there is a confidence within the organization that one way or another, via trade or free agency, they will succeed.
Williams is averaging 20.9 points and 8.6 assists. Among guards in the Eastern Conference (before last night), only All-Star starters Derrick Rose of Chicago, the reigning MVP, and Miami’s Dwyane Wade are scoring more — each is at 22.0. In the East, only Boston’s Rajon Rondo, at 9.8, and Toronto’s Jose Calderon average more assists, and Calderon’s edge over Williams is by percentage points, 8.59 to 8.57. Those are numbers coaches no doubt considered over the Nets’ 8-19 record.
Johnson this week threw unbridled support behind Williams’ All-Star candidacy, noting the difficulty he has faced with a team devastated by injuries and the NBA’s worst starting schedule.
“You’ve got to look at the whole body of work this year and look at how injured we’ve been and all of the different challenges and obstacles,” Johnson said. “It’s well documented where we are. Under the circumstances, what he’s had to deal with on the court, [with] all of the adversity, the injuries, the way he’s played this year, it’s definitely an All-Star year.
“All-Star years are not just for guys that are on teams with the best records. In this situation, I think he’s definitely an All-Star.”
The Nets last All-Star was Devin Harris in 2009. Williams becomes the 12th different Net to earn an All-Star invitation in the team’s NBA era.
Just three players made the All-Star team multiple times as a Net. Jason Kidd was a five-time Net selection, and Buck Williams and Vince Carter made it three times each. Other Nets chosen once were Harris, Kenyon Martin, Stephon Marbury, Jayson Williams, Kenny Anderson, Derrick Coleman, Micheal Ray Richardson and Otis Birdsong.
The previous stars include five point guards: Richardson, Anderson, Marbury, Kidd and Harris. Now there is a sixth.