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Jackson considers Carmelo Anthony “an amazing ballplayer who still has another level to step up.” But given a choice, he seemed to prefer Brooklyn’s roster to New York’s because of the age of the Knicks and the presence of the Nets’ Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. “The Knicks still have to find some accommodating group of guys that know how to play ball together, move the ball, play the game the right way,” he said. “With Brooklyn, if you’ve got a point guard and a solid center, or a good point guard and a great center, you’ve got two of the pieces that you want to have toward a champion.” New York Times

Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Deron Williams, Brook Lopez 

Deron Williams: Coach K is an incredible leader. Playing for him and representing my country has been a blessing in my career and I'm glad he will be back Twitter @DeronWilliams

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Deron Williams, USA Basketball, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski 

In the final edition of "Nets Magazine" on YES, Deron Williams talks about how criticism of his first half play motivated his post All-Star Break bounce back. After Sarah Kustok noted, "he used the criticism from the media for fuel for a bounce back in the second half," Williams explained how much it hurt to hear the criticism ... and how the motivation will last beyond this season. "When you hear people talking about it that way ... [that] it's all on me ... it definitely hurts, definitely motivates you to come back stronger," said Williams, adding, "So I look forward to prove people wrong -- for years to come." NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

In the final edition of "Nets Magazine" on YES, Deron Williams talks about how criticism of his first half play motivated his post All-Star Break bounce back. After Sarah Kustok noted, "he used the criticism from the media for fuel for a bounce back in the second half," Williams explained how much it hurt to hear the criticism ... and how the motivation will last beyond this season. "When you hear people talking about it that way ... [that] it's all on me ... it definitely hurts, definitely motivates you to come back stronger," said Williams, adding, "So I look forward to prove people wrong -- for years to come." NetsDaily

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

While Sloan was reportedly being considered by the Brooklyn Nets, a reunion with former Jazz point guard Deron Williams is not on the horizon. USA Today Sports

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Deron Williams, Jerry Sloan 

Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson recently joined Cory & Nathan on 105.3 The Fan. Here are some highlights: On if the Mavs would rather have an elite point guard or center: “Look, I don’t think there is any question if you look at some of the challenges we had last year, point guards are very unique, and it’s really hard to find those guys. That’s why we pulled out all the stops to try to get Deron Williams to come back home. Obviously, he opted to stay in New York. I don’t think there is any position as important as point guard regardless of what level you’re playing on. But hey, if you’re talking about the next if not equal, you talk about the big guy in the middle. You look back at history with Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and you go right down the list, and it’s very difficult to go deep in the playoffs without an inside presence, defensively certainly so obviously, those are two key positions.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Deron Williams, Donnie Nelson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon 

Williams said he “would love” to play again for Jerry Sloan, his old coach in Utah, and when Phil Jackson’s name came up, Williams said, “Who wouldn’t want to play for Phil Jackson?” Regardless of who takes over as head coach, Williams said that after a tumultuous first season in Brooklyn, he and his teammates can take a step forward next year. “We definitely want to improve on this season,” Williams said. “With everything we had, with all the injuries we had, with all the stuff in the media going on with losing a coach, we still finished pretty good. We still finished in the fourth spot [in the East]. New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Deron Williams, Jerry Sloan 

Alex Raskin: Deron Williams said he would definitely play for Jerry Sloan again. #nets Twitter @alexraskinNYC

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Deron Williams, Jerry Sloan 

Tim Bontemps: Deron said he'd like a "creative offensive coach." Also expects Billy to make moves to upgrade the roster. Twitter @TimBontemps

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Deron Williams, Billy King 

Mike Mazzeo: D-Will said he won't need surgery for bone spurs, plans to take a rest from hoops #Nets Twitter @MazzESPN

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams, Injuries 

Interim coach P.J. Carlesimo showed his players the interview prior to their 110-91 win back in Brooklyn in Game 5 last night. But if it was supposed to fire the Nets up, that’s not exactly how Deron Williams said the team took it. “We didn’t need that,” Williams said after scoring 23 points and dishing out 10 assists. “That’s not why [we won]. P.J. wanted us to watch it, and we were sitting in there after it was over like, ‘That’s it?’ What are we supposed to do now? [Yell] we’re mad?’ “That stuff doesn’t mean anything. We wanted to win the game for us and for our fans and for a chance to extend our season. We didn’t want to go fishing. We didn’t want to be on TNT with the hats on, and Chuck talking about it.” New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams, PJ Carlesimo 

Rod Boone: Deron: "The last one definitely stung. It's definitely still there. The feelings are the same. A lot of frustration, a lot of looking back." Twitter @rodboone

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

Rod Boone: I asked Deron if #Nets are desperate now. “That’s the perfect word. We’ve got to play with some desperation, play like it’s a Game 7." Twitter @rodboone

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

Point guard Deron Williams was able to push the tempo in the first half—thanks to a string of defensive stops—and the results were profound, particularly for a team that ranked 28th in possessions per game during the regular season. "We want to continue to play at that pace," Williams said Sunday. "I think we're a lot better, I think we get into a better rhythm when we push the tempo and it flows better." Specifically, the expedited offense galvanized Gerald Wallace, who had struggled to adjust to the Nets' half-court ways during the regular season. "That suits him," Williams continued. "It suits me, it suits him, it suits a lot of our guys. I think we got to get him more involved, get up and down and not let them set up [on defense] and get him out in transition where he can be active." Wall Street Journal

Brooklyn Nets, Gerald Wallace, Deron Williams 

Williams ripped Chicago’s defense to shreds, finishing with 22 points and seven assists, highlighted by that jam in the third quarter that would have been unthinkable just one month ago while he battled ankle injuries. “It just happened,” Williams said. “I just was trying to show some guys in the NBA I might be able to compete in the dunk contest next year. “My legs feel good, my ankles feel good right now. I’m excited to be back in the playoffs.” New York Daily News

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

Stefan Bondy: Deron Williams on his reverse double pump jam: "I wanted to show some people in the NBA I can compete in next year's dunk contest." Twitter @NYDNInterNets

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

Deron Williams and his wife Amy would have had plenty of space and plenty of support had he decided to sign with the Dallas Mavericks this summer. His family would have had a big house with a big yard to play in. And they would have had grandparents nearby, ready to babysit whenever needed. "I love New York, but I think I definitely would have been more comfortable living in Dallas," Williams told NBA.com recently. "It is easier. I'm not saying that New York isn't, but it's just not as easy." NBA.com

Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

Williams actually signed a contract on a home in Dallas, and was ready to move back to where he grew up and met his future wife. Dallas had Dirk Nowitzki and grandma, cap space and outdoor space. And fortunately, real estate contracts have contingency clauses, because when the time came for Williams to make his free agency decision, he would have to back out of that real estate deal. The Brooklyn Nets traded for Joe Johnson, the Mavs failed to show Williams a strong enough plan for the future, and the All-Star point guard decided he'd only be playing one game a year in the place he grew up. NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams 

With 2:57 to go in the second, Williams brought the ball upcourt and blew past Cavs guard Wayne Ellington with ease. From there, the Cavs defense parted like the Red Sea, allowing Williams to glide to the basket and slam the ball home. “I didn’t really plan it,” Williams said with a smile afterward. “It’s just something that happened.” New York Post

Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams, Wayne Ellington 

When he began fielding questions, one of the first was about his reaction to another cool reception by the crowd of 18,008 at EnergySolutions Arena. "The booing wasn’t as bad as last year," he said. "So it’s getting better. Maybe next year I’ll get a couple of cheers." Despite the reception, Williams added, "I have no animosity. I mean, I had a great time in Utah. I don’t have anything to say bad about the fans. "They’re going to react the way they react and they’re going to think what they’re going to think. I can’t really change that. I just have a lot of love for them, so …" Salt Lake Tribune

Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Deron Williams