Brooklyn Nets veteran guard Deron Williams is pronouncing himself back to feeling like his old, All-Star-level self.
That revelation couldn't come at a better time for the Nets, who embark on a three-game West Coast road trip this week that includes stops in Phoenix and L.A. and personal, head-to-head matchups for Williams against Chris Paul and Eric Bledsoe.
"That's every night in this league, man," Williams told ESPN of such matchups. "There's not really nights off anymore, when it comes to the point guard position. These young point guards are looking to make a name for themselves; they're playing with a lot of confidence, so there's no nights off. I want to get back to playing basketball. I haven't been able to do it and now I'm just getting to where I feel like I can attack."
Having acquired veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett over the summer, the stakes and expectations are both high for the Nets this season. Still, the veteran Williams realizes much of the team's hopes for dethroning Eastern Conference rival Miami lies in his hands.
Williams missed almost all of training camp with an ankle injury, but if his 17 points, 10 assist performance against Indiana last week is any indicator that all may finally now be behind him.
"It's fun, man," Williams told ESPN. "It's competitive, so I enjoy the challenges."
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