EARLY EXIT: Deron Williams and the Nets allowed Nene and the Nuggets to shoot .595 from the field. (AP)
DENVER — Nets point guard Deron Williams seemed to want to talk about his ejection on technicals last night about as much as he wants to talk about his long-term professional future.
But either topic would have seemed more enjoyable than talking about the defensive abomination the Nets rolled out in their 123-115 loss to the Nuggets.
The final difference was eight points, but the Nets trailed by 23 at one point and were steamrolled in the first half.
“Look at halftime, they had 30 points in the paint and 14 fast-break points. We had 12 points in the paint and four fast-break points,” said Williams, who was ejected on a pair of technicals with 3:02 left after registering his third straight double-double with 16 points and 13 assists. “I tweaked my ankle and took it out on [the ref].”
Until the fourth quarter, it did not get any better for the Nets (2-9), who started a four-game western trip in decidedly sour fashion. They surrendered .595 shooting, including .611 on 3-pointers (11 of 18). Six Nuggets hit double figures led by Danilo Gallinari (22) who scored 17 points in the first quarter, a figure matched by Corey Brewer (19 total) in the second quarter.
“We just couldn’t get any stops defensively,” said coach Avery Johnson, who was encouraged by the offense — 115 points, .518 shooting, a team record 20 3-pointers (in 35 tries) — but undoubtedly discouraged by the defense that severely missed DeShawn Stevenson (knee) and Damion James (foot). “We scored with the ball tonight; it’s just defensively we weren’t very good.”
Try awful. Offensively, Jordan Farmar scored 13 points in a 15-0 run that got the Nets within eight in the fourth quarter. And Anthony Morrow, with five triples, scored 23. But there were offensive malfunctions, too.
“We jumped on them early and we were doing a good job of executing. We got up and started to do our own thing instead of staying within the offense, executing doing the same things,” Williams said.
Johnson warned about Denver’s NBA-leading transition game after loudly calling for the Nets to show some defensive toughness. His warnings went for naught as Denver, even without point guard Ty Lawson (strained foot) embarrassed the Nets’ alleged defense early. While the Nets entered concerned about the Nuggets’ high-octane ability, Denver was wary of Williams.
“He’s 6-4, quick, fast, doesn’t have a weakness. One of the top four point guards in basketball,” Nuggets coach George Karl assessed.
Williams’ pedigree needs no explanation. It is why the Nets are so intent on keeping him long term. Williams was asked about his future — and his past in leaving Utah — again yesterday.
“I’m not Carmelo Anthony. I’m not the Denver Nuggets. I’m not Chris Paul. I’m not the New Orleans Hornets. I’m not Dwight Howard. I’m not the Orlando Magic. I’m not the Utah Jazz anymore, either. I play for the New Jersey Nets the last time I checked,” Williams said.
Except for the occasional inquiry here and there, Williams’ situation has not really been much of a distraction.
“Not at all,” Johnson insisted. “We want him to opt out. It’s the best thing for him and his family.”
You want a distraction? Go back to last year with the Carmelo Anthony situation. Karl lived through it.
“I would recommend highly organizations don’t go through it,” Karl said. “It had such a wear and tear on us, it’s just a negative energy and we all know negative energy. You don’t like being around it. Not only was it negative energy you had to act upon it every day.”