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D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Fri Jun 3, 2011 4:05 pm
by NyCeEvO
Deron hopes Nets will use Heat blueprint
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011
THE RECORD

Deron Williams hasn’t watched the playoffs that much, but has seen enough of the Heat to know their star power, athleticism and defense will make them tough to beat for a long time.

Williams also wants to see the Nets follow the Miami model.

"I hope so," Williams said during an exclusive phone interview Wednesday. "That’s what we’re going to have to do. We talk a lot about getting some athletes in there. We have some good pieces and athletes, but we need some more. We need to be a team that can get up and down and lock down defensively when we have to."

"If you want to be as good as them you have to have some players as good as them," he added. "You have to have some athletes. We’re going to have to try to follow that model."

Williams, who was promoting next month’s annual American Century Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, has said he will help the Nets recruit players. But it will be difficult to get ones who rival LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

The Nets are expected to pursue Dwight Howard if he becomes available. He and Williams would give the Nets a shot against Miami since they’re both young, athletic and defend. But the Nets won’t and can’t bank on getting Howard. So they probably will have to make other moves to entice Williams to stay and sign a contract extension.

Williams — who has started shooting but still feels some soreness in his surgically repaired right wrist — has liked what he’s seen and heard from the Nets’ organization, though.

Williams visited the Brooklyn-arena construction site recently and was impressed. He has had "quite a bit" of contact with general manager Billy King and coach Avery Johnson, and believes they will work on upgrading the roster, which is most important to Williams.

"That’s No. 1," Williams said. "I want to win. That’s what I want to do. I’m not really interested in being a part of an extended rebuilding process. They know that. They understand that. You go from there.

"They’re willing to do whatever it takes to put together a contender. I like that."

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Fri Jun 3, 2011 4:08 pm
by NyCeEvO
D-Will interview with Al Iannazzone:
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Deron dishes out answers

Thanks to the nice people from the American Century Golf Championship, I interviewed Deron Williams on the phone yesterday.

The American Century Championship, which also will feature Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Jerry Rice, Aaron Rodgers, Emmitt Smith, Rex Ryan and Andy Pettitte , will take place in Tahoe July 15-17 and air on NBC (July 16 and 17) and VERSUS (July 15). Williams is playing in the tournament for the first time.

He said he’s excited to be in it because he’s heard such great things about the event and the course from Kidd and Ray Allen, as well as Rodgers, Kyle Boller and Chris Chandler. Those three are members of the same club Williams plays at: the Santaluz Country Club in San Diego.

Williams said his wrist is feeling better, but he still feels some soreness when he shoots. We talked about his visit to the Brooklyn arena site, the Heat’s dominance and his hope that the Nets follow Miami’s blueprint. He talks to Billy King and Avery Johnson “quite a bit” and likes that they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make the Nets a contender.

Here’s the interview:

How is the wrist?
“It’s getting better.”

What have you been doing?
“Relaxing. Hanging out with my family.”

What did you think of the Barclays Center construction site?
“It was great. It was great to see the new site, the surrounding areas, get a feel for where everything is going to be and seeing a little more of the vision the franchise has.”

Have you bought a place here yet?
“I’m going to wait until after the lockout.”

Where will you buy – Jersey or New York?
“I’m probably going to do Manhattan.”

Tell me more about the Barclays site:
“It’s cool. You can see everything coming together and they kind of walked me through where everything is going to be at. There was enough up to see where the fans are and get a feel for how it’s going to be and what type of what type of arena it’s going to be. It’s going to be a real close, intimate atmosphere. I kind of like that. You know it’s going to be spectacular. They’re spending so much money it has to be. Until you see it in person you can’t really imagine how it’s going to be.”

How much contact have you had with Billy and Avery?
“I’ve had quite a bit if contact with them. I’ve stayed in touch with both of them. We text back and forth and talk on occasion.”

Will you be involved in the draft process?
“I don’t watch enough college basketball to say which guys are good and which guys aren’t. I would be no use as far as that’s concerned.”

You’ve said you like the organization, but how important is getting the players around you that you need?
“That’s No. 1. I want to win. That’s what I want to do. I’m not really interested in being a part of an extended rebuilding process. They know that. They understand that. You go from there.

Don’t Billy and Avery share that same vision?
“They’re willing to do whatever it takes to put together a contender. I like that.”

How much have you watched the playoffs?
“Not much.”

Do you think more teams are going to try and follow the Heat’s model?
“They’re going to try. That’s what you have to do now. If you want to be as a team as good as them you have to have some players as good as them. You have to have some athletes. We’re going to have to try and follow that model.”

How much tougher are they because of the way James and Wade play defense?
“It’s always been said that defense wins championships. They are a great defensive team. All those guys get out and guard. I think it goes with their athleticism. They’re able to cover a lot of ground and cover a lot players that a lot of teams aren’t able to cover and that’s what makes them so special.”

Do you think the Nets will be able to do something to build like Miami?
“I hope so. That’s what we’re going to have to do. We talk a lot about getting some athletes in there. We have some good pieces and athletes, but we need some more. We need to be a team that can get up and down and lock down defensively when we have to.”

Are you able to do anything basketball related yet?
I’ve shot a little bit. Not too much. Only like 15 feet. It’s still a little sore.

You’re able to play golf?
Yeah. Golf never really hurt, even during the season.

The Tournament?
“I was supposed to play last year. I had to back out because my wrist was hurting last year. I’m definitely excited to play in the American Century Championship for the first time. I’ve heard a lot about it from a couple of friends that are members of my course that have played in it: Aaron Rodger, Kyle Boller and Chris Chandler. Those guys have all played in it. I’ve talked to them about it. They told me how great it was, how much fun they had, how enjoyable they made the tournament. I’ve talked to Ray Allen a little bit about it and Jason Kidd. They got me really excited about playing in it. This is my first big tournament where you got a whole gallery watching.”

You said you would think about playing overseas if there was a lockout. Would you go?
“I don’t know. That’s all there is to say. I’d think about it. We’ll see what happens.”

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 5:02 am
by JoseRizal
Straight from the horse's mouth. At least now we know that DWill will only sign if we intend to compete and not rebuild...

The question is how?

There are only a handful of promising FA's which could help, but none of them is a potential franchise-turner.

We're left with Dwight or bust...

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 12:39 pm
by Rockice_8
It looks like he might sign with CAA / Leon Rose as well. I guess he thinks that could help lure some big names.

I mean yeah of coarse we're gonna try to go that route but realistically if we can do it here his options are limited just like ours. Where is he gonna go to form this super team if we can't get it done here OKC? Not if they land CP3. NY? Is he gonna take a pay cut? ORL? We are just gonna give him to them.

Here's to hoping it gets done here. Come'on Dwight.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 2:23 pm
by NyCeEvO
Ex-Jazz's Williams expected to sign with star agent Rose
Published on Jun 7, 2011 08:08PM

New Jersey guard Deron Williams is expected to sign with agent Leon Rose, a source said Tuesday, after leaving former longtime agent Bob McClaren.

Messages left for Rose and a representative for McClaren were not immediately returned.
Bloomberg News reported Tuesday that Williams had fired McClaren, who is primarily known as an MLB agent but had close ties with Williams.

Williams spent six seasons with the Jazz before being unexpectedly traded Feb. 23 to the Nets.
Rose, who is affiliated with Creative Artists Agency, is one of the premier agents in the NBA. CAA represents LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, among others, and played a pivotal role in James' controversial decision to move to Miami last summer. Williams is expected to sign with Rose, the source said, with the hope that Rose's star power will help bring top-tier talent to Brooklyn, which is where the Nets are expected to move for the 2011-12 season.

Williams has one year left on his contract with New Jersey. He holds a player option worth $17.7 million in 2012-13.

One of the main reasons Utah dealt Williams to the Nets was the belief that he would not re-sign with the Jazz, preferring instead to play in a larger sports market that had a better chance of winning an NBA title.

Since joining the Nets, Williams has said that he is open to remaining in New Jersey. He places emphasis upon winning more than anything else, though, and wants to make sure that the Nets have the necessary pieces to compete at a high level before committing to the organization for the long term.

Brian T. Smith

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 2:34 pm
by SpeedyG
Who is Dwight's agent?

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 2:57 pm
by NyCeEvO
SpeedyG wrote:Who is Dwight's agent?

Dan Fegan, the guy who Hump just dropped lol.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 3:20 pm
by SpeedyG
Who did Hump switch to? I remember reading about it, but don't recall.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 3:27 pm
by NyCeEvO
SpeedyG wrote:Who did Hump switch to? I remember reading about it, but don't recall.

Marc Cornstein

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2011 7:20 pm
by SpeedyG
LoL at Knicks fan trying to talk about Deron leaving the Nets in the GB.

All of you guys who live in NY, HTF do you deal with that constant stupidity? haha

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:21 pm
by Wizard of POOH
:lol:

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:55 am
by Leeroy Jenkins
Change to D-Will wants to follow Maverick's model

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:57 am
by Aussie 2point0
Leeroy Jenkins wrote:Change to D-Will wants to follow Maverick's model


I was just thinking the same thing. lol

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:43 pm
by NyCeEvO
I'd rather have a hyrbid form.

You shouldn't have 3 guys taking a lot of money for the cap. In fact, do you guys remember when Dwight said that he doesn't feel that you need three stars on a team to win but he did mention pairs like Jordan & Pippen, Kobe & Shaq, etc.?

I'd say give me two athletic stars that can create for themselves and instead of having a third star taking a lot of money, share the wealth on better role players. In that way, when one star isn't hot, there's another left over, and in the rare chance that they're both playing bad, you hope that your better reserve/bench guys can sustain your team for a bit.

Look at Dirk last night. Their one superstar had to be carried by Terry and Barea a lot until the 4th quarter. I think if they would've had another star player, that would've offset Dirk's shooting ability in the same way. In Miami's system, LBJ and Wade are given the ball like superstars and Bosh's role is like a super-utility guy. As long as all three are together on the court, you'll be hard pressed to see Bosh have sets run for him a lot.

Give me two stars and a better bench over three stars and no bench.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:39 pm
by SpeedyG
I think 2 stars, if you have the right two is the better balance. Of course, three stars really should have trumped over the 1 star team if the "star" played like one.

Put it this way, if you replaced Lebron in this Finals with say...prime Pippen, do they win? IMO, yes.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:15 pm
by Netaman
There's always more then one way to skin a cat.

The Spurs never really had a true "second star" the way the Heat do. Worked out having have 2 lesser stars who complemented the team well.

Most people would say the Suns had 2 stars (or maybe even more when Marion was at his best) - but they played no defense.

Detroit had 0 stars.

Bottomline is having a balanced team top to bottom is still the safest bet. You get a top player who's a building block and you add around that player with as many multi dimensional players as possible. And when it's all said and done defense is still king.

As far as how this relates to our team, Deron is clearly a star in every sense of the word?

The question is what level player is Brook? And how can he get better? It's not necessarily a stats issue with him, it's efficiency and intangibles that will be the difference in him elevating his game and the team.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:54 pm
by bobbyc
Agreed. Listen to Mark Cuban's postgame exit interview.

There is no one way to win. You just have to be opportunistic, get players who are hungry and team centric players.

But, playing good defense without fouling to much combined with rebounding wins championships. Thats going to be hard with Brook and Morrow as two of our top players, but I think Brook will take a big step this summer athletically which will help him in those two categories.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:08 pm
by SpeedyG
Netaman wrote:There's always more then one way to skin a cat.

The Spurs never really had a true "second star" the way the Heat do. Worked out having have 2 lesser stars who complemented the team well.

Most people would say the Suns had 2 stars (or maybe even more when Marion was at his best) - but they played no defense.

Detroit had 0 stars.

Bottomline is having a balanced team top to bottom is still the safest bet. You get a top player who's a building block and you add around that player with as many multi dimensional players as possible. And when it's all said and done defense is still king.

As far as how this relates to our team, Deron is clearly a star in every sense of the word?

The question is what level player is Brook? And how can he get better? It's not necessarily a stats issue with him, it's efficiency and intangibles that will be the difference in him elevating his game and the team.


Manu Ginobili is crawling in his future grave at that comment. Manu wasn't a star yet, but he was in the cusp of it, and he played like it. It is true though that there's no blueprint for winning (just GREATNESS!).

But none the less, the teams like the Pistons are more exception to the rule. If you can build a team with 2 or 3 stars, especially one that compliments each other well, you do it and worry about the rest later.

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:27 pm
by Netaman
My point was that you don't need to do exactly what the Heat did and get 2 ELITE players.

Manu and Parker were both stars. Just saying I don't think either were ever in that elite top group that Dwill, Dwight, Lebron, and Wade occupy. They were/are in that next tier between 10-20 (along with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, etc.).

(bigger picture meaning was that we're not in a Dwight or bust situation)

Re: D-Will wants to follow Heat model

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:38 pm
by SpeedyG
Netaman wrote:My point was that you don't need to do exactly what the Heat did and get 2 ELITE players.

Manu and Parker were both stars. Just saying I don't think either were ever in that elite top group that Dwill, Dwight, Lebron, and Wade occupy. They were/are in that next tier between 10-20 (along with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, etc.).

(bigger picture meaning was that we're not in a Dwight or bust situation)


I don't think we are, and Deron has said as much. Of course, having a guy like Dwight to pair with Deron makes things oh so much easier to build a championship contending team.

You basically have an elite playmaker/good defender/good shotmaker in Deron, and an elite defender/rebounder/good inside presence in Dwight. You just need some solid athletes who can defend and make shots, and then another player off the bench who can be a spark plug and create and you're golden.