ORLANDO, Fla. — Deron Williams had the chance to cap off one of the most exciting finishes in All-Star Game memory. The East, down 21 points earlier, roared back and were within two points when the Nets point guard lined up a 3-pointer from the left side with 8.9 seconds left. But something kept Williams from his chance to emerge as the hero.
“It didn’t go in,” Williams deadpanned.
That will do it.
“That one kind of felt short,” said Williams, who finished with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting (4-of-7 on 3s) and four assists in the East’s 152-149 loss to the West. “I was a couple feet back of the 3-point line. I wish I could have that one back. Every other one of my shots felt good.”
Williams made his third All-Star team as a reserve but was in at the end. Starter Derrick Rose has had back issues, so coach Tom Thibodeau chose Williams for the potential dagger.
“It was a drawn-up play,” Williams explained. “They put all the faith in me, and I dropped the ball.”
But the East likely would never have gotten there without Williams, who averaged better than a point a minute in 18 minutes. And some of that time provided a Nets fan’s fantasy — he was on the court with Magic center Dwight Howard. Williams knows there will be more talk of that possible pairing as the March 15 trade deadline approaches.
“It’s a frequently asked question. It’s out there,” said Williams, who seems to have grown immune to it all. “We’re paid to play basketball. It happens.”
* The Nets will sign forward Gerald Green, formerly of the Celtics, today. Green, a 6-foot-7 1/2 forward with terrific athleticism, won the MVP Award at the D-League All-Star Game on Saturday.