The hope for the Nets was that Byron Scott would be this year’s Doc Rivers. Well, it is still remarkably early but maybe that’s turned around. Maybe Doc Rivers was last year’s Byron Scott.
Rivers drew high praise for getting his guys to compete and play hard. Players whose names never collided with the phrase ‘franchise player’ contributed big time. Based on early returns (like one precinct reporting for all those with political inclinations), the same is happening in the Meadowlands. True, the Nets have Stephon Marbury, but others are major contributors. Case in point: Aaron Williams.
Williams has been a classic NBA journeyman. Name a year and pick a city. Or cities. Six seasons brought six teams. Only Seattle provided a place to unpack. He was there for two years, 1997-98 and ’98-99. Before that, it was Utah, six games; Milwaukee, 15 games; Denver one game and Vancouver 32 games in the same season. Then there was the chance in Seattle before last year’s strong showing with Washington where in 81 games he averaged 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds.
But he’s found a home in New Jersey. And a huge supporter in Scott.
“He’s been fantastic,” gushed Scott, who watched with heart-thumping relief as Williams poured in 11 fourth-quarter points Wednesday night as the Nets evened out at 4-4 with a 93-91 thrilling win at home against Miami. “He’s been everything we thought he could be when we got him. We thought he could rebound and defend. And we thought when we got him that we had a player we could go to and he’s our best low post presence right now.
“He’s been a pleasant surprise but not that big of a surprise to us because we felt we knew what we were getting when we got Aaron Williams,” Scott assessed of the 29-year-old, 6-9 forward center who signed a six-year deal starting at the $2.25 million mid-level exception.
Williams, who was bothered by a sore right Achilles tendon on Wednesday (“nothing major,” he said) has been unwaveringly steady in the early going, banging around at power forward but aptly stepping in to plug the middle, especially with so many teams in the East devoid of a dominant center. For style and flash, he’s on a par with blue blazers and white button-down shirts. But he does seem to fit in everywhere. He’s averaging 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds, ranking second on the team in both and by far his best career numbers.
“It definitely feels good that coach has confidence in you if you take a shot because some players, the way it is their job is not to score so they’re taking shots they’re not supposed to take and getting in trouble,” Williams said. “I just try to play hard, play smart and not get into foul trouble. Byron has been through it all and has such great intensity. I try to play hard for 48 minutes and try to match his intensity.”