(via Andy Vasquez)
Enter full convolution. Deron Williams says he doesn’t know what he’s doing next year, then says that “nobody” knows what he’s doing next year “but him,” indicating that he does know what he’s doing next year but hasn’t told anyone, then implies that it’s such a secret that not even his mom knows what he’s doing next year.
This discourse confusion could be related to a missing context clue — maybe Williams is saying that “nobody (knows) but him” to really clarify that nobody would know unless they were him, and since not even he knows, nobody knows. On the other hand, it’s possible Williams knows exactly what he’s doing and just hasn’t told anyone yet. I’m just not sure what I know or he knows. You know?
The only thing that’s crystal clear: Deron Williams’ mom has no idea what Deron is doing next year.
After hosting a pre-draft combine of mostly eventual second-round picks, the Brooklyn Nets will now host a three-day free agency camp, comprised mostly of D-Leaguers looking for a first shot and former bust lottery picks looking for a last one.
Adam Morrison is the highest-profile name in the camp, which gives you an idea of who else is in the camp. Hilton Armstrong, Julian Wright, Al Thornton, Sylven Landesburg, Jeff “The Footenote” Foote, Taylor Griffin (Blake’s brother), Darington Hobson, and Ben Hansbrough (Tyler’s brother) will also attend.
Brooklyn Nets shooting guard and 27th overall draft pick MarShon “Swag Sleeves” Brooks received a second-place vote and a third-place vote in the Rookie of the Year voting, finishing tenth overall among rookies as officially announced today by the NBA.
Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving won the award handily, presumably for doing things like destroying the Nets both at home and away. Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio and Nuggets manimal Kenneth Faried rounded out the top three.
Some highlights:
SLAM: What are your thoughts on the franchise’s ability to pull together a new fan base in Brooklyn? Obviously you’ll keep a few fans from New Jersey, but for the most part the team will need to bring in a whole new set of fans.
AM: I think we’re gonna have all of Brooklyn. You know, New York is New York. They’re gonna love the Knicks. But I think with us coming over to Brooklyn, we’re gonna really pull some fans onto our side. A lot of fans. I think League-wide we’re gonna get more fans as we develop as a team and get better. But I’m really excited. It’s something new, and I’m just blessed to be a part of the movement and this history being made.
SLAM: Have you had any conversations with Deron Williams about his situation? So much of the squad’s future is resting on his free agency decision over the summer.
AM: A little bit. Me and Deron, we don’t always talk about it too much. I know at the end of the day, Deron is a future Hall of Famer, and he’s gonna do what’s best for himself and his family. That said, I think he really likes Brooklyn. He loves the team, our teammates. Our team chemistry—I’ve probably never had this kind of team chemistry with a team before. We do so much stuff together. He’s gonna do what’s best for him and his family, and that’s the main thing. All of the guys respect that about him. You gotta do what makes you happy. [But] I want him back. I tell him all the time, I want him back [laughs].
(Italics added for emphasis.)
SLAM: What are you working on this summer, as far as your game is concerned?
AM: I want to lead the League in 3-point percentage next year. And I want to get better in every aspect. I always want to get better at something every year. I think I got better off the ball, coming off screens, but it’s something I still gotta get better at. My post game came a long way. When I was talking to Avery after the season, he said he never knew he could post me up—he didn’t even think of it. Being able to do that now, and expanding my game that way, I think I’m just gonna continue to improve on those things offensively. Defensively, I want to average more steals. I want be more active defensively. I think that’s something that our strength-and-conditioning guy Jeremy is going to help a lot with. I want to come back, like, ‘I know I got better at this. I know I got better at that.’ I always come in in pretty good shape; I wanna come in in great shape. Those are the little goals that I have.
Click here to check out the entire interview with Anthony Morrow by Adam Figman over at SLAM.
According to the New York Post and confirmed by various media outlets, Deron Williams and Billy King met with Mikhail Prokhorov Friday at CSKA Moscow’s semifinal against Panathinaikos. Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News followed up, reporting that D-Will and Prokhorov met informally at the game and had a good conversation.
Some reports state that the three came together to discuss a new contract, but that’s also the last thing they need to discuss (“Hey, Deron, we’re giving you a max contract”). Just as likely on the table was the team’s plans for the future, outlining different rosters under different scenarios, the type of players Deron would like to play with.
Deron & wife Amy, as we noted earlier, are then taking a trip to Moscow with the Kirilenko family, according to a blog written by Andrei’s wife Masha. It’s unclear if Mickey P was on a similar flight.
Good morning, Nets fans! I took a couple of days off from updating your favorite Nets blog to enjoy the NBA playoffs and the outdoors. Please forgive me. As a thank you, I shower you with many Nets-related links, and more thoughts coming later today.
Former Nets point guard Jason Kidd thinks the Brooklyn Nets are going to make a “splash.” He also wink-winks at a desire to back up Deron Williams — someone he shares an agent with, and someone he’ll play golf with this offseason — and play until he’s 41.
Surprising no one, Dirk Nowitzki wants Deron Williams in Dallas.
Marc Stein cites sources close to Deron that say there’s no better than a 50% chance that D-Will flees to Dallas.
I don’t know how much this means, and frankly, it could mean nothing. But reading her on my Twitter timeline, Amy Williams seems very happy in Brooklyn.
Speaking of signings and franchises hanging in the balance, Billy King has his work cut out for him this summer building (and possibly re-building) the Brooklyn Nets.
James Whall of the Star-Ledger investigates the curious state of the “Jersey” sports identity. Interesting read.
Your off-Nets link of the day goes to Joey Crawford, who tells some interesting stories that accompany the lifetime referee gig.
The circular logo will sit at center court.
Photo courtesy of Darren Rovell
Countering earlier reports that the Nets were set on a top three of Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Thomas Robinson, Chad Ford reports (Insider) in his latest draft column that Bradley Beal is now the Nets’ choice should they win the 3rd overall pick.
When the Nets originally traded their top-3 protected pick for Gerald Wallace, the prevailing thought was that they only thought three prospects in the top of the lottery were worth acquiring, and if they fell below a top-three selection the pick wasn’t worth keeping. Now it seems that wisdom has shifted.
One bright spot: if the Nets don’t win the lottery, the highest Portland can pick is sixth, a historically poor spot to draft in. According to ESPN’s D.R.A.F.T. Initiative last year (again, Insider), there’s a staggering drop-off in value in the Draft after the first five picks. The sixth pick is especially curious: you’d expect teams to get the sixth-best value with that pick, but drafting sixth has actually produced the lowest value of any pick in the top 11 and third-lowest of the lottery.
