Deron Williams said he wasn’t trying to put anybody down. And then he promptly put somebody down.
A Washington writer who stayed over from the Knicks game asked the Nets All-Star about the struggles of young point guards. He asked specifically about the Wizards’ John Wall.
“He’s handled it well. He’s a had a tough cast down there, I don’t want to put anybody down but he’s not playing with the smartest guys in the world. That’s tough, man, that’s tough,” Williams said.
So at least he didn’t put them down.
“They’re not smart, I don’t know,” Williams said. “I’ve been watching. JaVale McGee (now with Denver) was on the Not So Top 10, like, 50 times this year,” Williams said. “But I think he’s handled it well. He has to force a lot of things. I think I have to force a lot. I’m shooting 40 percent. I never thought I would shoot 40 percent in my career, but I’m taking tough shots over double teams and that’s really the only shots I get. I don’t get many open looks, I don’t get many just spot up shots and it’s just what it is.”
Doc Rivers on the end of the NBA in New Jersey: “It’s sad. This is where I started my career, playing for the Hawks against the Nets. We won that game. I think. I’m not sure, it’s been so long not that I think about it. It’s amazing, though. I was telling someone how I used to come over here to watch games [as a Knick].”
Nets coach Avery Johnson after seeing Kevin Garnett go off for 21 points, 12 rebounds at center: “He’s found the fountain of youth. He can shoot it, he can pass it, he plays pick and roll defense, he blocks shots. He’s doing it all right now. And he and [Brandon] Bass are a really good combination at four and five and that’s why they’ll have a chance come playoff time.”
The Nets were again without Gerald Wallace, who sat a third straight game with a strained hamstring. … Kris Humphries had 10 rebounds, his eighth straight double-digit rebound game. … Jordan Williams was the first Nets bench player with a double-double since Brandon Wright had 15 points, 11 rebounds April 1 of last year at Philly. It was Williams’ first double-figure rebound game of his career.
Deron Williams, devout Steelers fan, did not even know Jets coach Rex Ryan sat courtside last night.
“I didn’t know he was there,” Williams said. “It doesn’t bother me. I like Rex Ryan. I watched the ‘Hard Knocks.’ I think they should have it every year just for him. I enjoy watching that.”