Deron Williams tries to get back to the top of the point guard class: “Since being traded from Utah in 2010, Williams has endured injuries and losing seasons and they’ve weighed on him. But for Williams, a player many believed to be one of the best point guards out there, believing in himself has been the major Achilles heel. “I think it’s just confidence,” Williams said. “I think the last couple years I’ve lost confidence. Being on a losing team was tough for me for the first time in my career. I picked up bad habits, got negative at times. It’s hard to get out of that when bad habits set in, so now I got great teammates and guys that will keep me straight if things go south. “I’m excited about this year, I’m excited about the leadership we brought in, I’m excited about playing for Jason Kidd, so I’ll get my confidence back.” Williams’ scoring numbers don’t show a major dropoff. At his best with the Jazz, Williams averaged 19.4 points per game. The difference shows in playmaking, which is Williams’ chief responsibility as a point guard. He averaged better than 10 assists per game for three consecutive seasons in Utah, connecting with then-teammate Carlos Boozer and current Nets teammate Andrei Kirilenko on the bulks of those.”
Toronto has officially landed the 2016 All-Star game: “NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement Monday, marking the first time Toronto will hold the league’s annual showcase. Canadian rap star Drake and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford were among those at the news conference. The Raptors also announced that Drake will be their “global ambassador” and have a voice in the team’s rebranding. Tim Lieweke, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said the team is in the process of planning a major face-lift that will include a new look and new colors. Drake will be heavily involved in the effort, which is expected to take the next two seasons.”
“I’m really out here with the people. I’m in touch with what they want to see,” Drake said. “I really just want excitement for this team. I want us to be one of the biggest teams in the league.”
Rajon Rondo looks forward to being back, but is not banking on a miracle return. More from Marc Stein: “To the uninitiated, Rondo sure looked like his old self. And after a partially torn ACL ended his season in late January, there were whispers that he would try to make an Adrian Peterson-like recovery and be back on the floor for the start of the 2013-14 campaign. That would have been an aggressive nine-month timeline. Speaking to reporters for one of the first times since his mid-February surgery, Rondo said he’ll be back this season but is taking the process slowly and making sure he’s mentally ready first. He is now participating in basketball-related activities, and will do such when the team opens training camp on Tuesday in Newport, R.I., but he has not been cleared for contact. One week after Ainge suggested a potential December return for Rondo — then quickly backed off any timeline talk — Rondo coyly hinted at a similar December target.”
Andrew Bynum is working his way back to the court: “In fact, he’s progressed pretty well since July, when the 7-footer signed a free-agent contract with the Cavs. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess as to when Bynum’s knees will have healed enough for full-court, five-on-five basketball, real basketball. Cavs general manager Chris Grant strongly hinted he hopes, maybe expects, that it will be “soon.” Bynum himself flat-out stated the same. He also flat-out stated he will “definitely” play for the Cavs in 2013-14. And he predicts good things will happen once he does.”
“I’m showing up every day, working my butt off and eager to get started,” he told FOX Sports Ohio. “I think we have a good team this year — one that I could be a big part of.”
- More on Bynum: “Bynum last played two seasons ago, his lone season as an All-Star under current Cavs coach Mike Brown. The two of them were with the Los Angeles Lakers that year. Because of the lockout, the regular season consisted of just 66 games. Bynum played in 60 of them and averaged career-highs in points (18.7) and rebounds (11.8). Now, he’s reunited with Brown, and joining All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, big man Tristan Thompson and several others about whom he appeared to be excited. “I think it’s a good situation for me here, honestly,” he said. “The Cavs organization has laid everything on the table for me.””
How will Russell Westbrook’s latest setback effect the Thunder: “A torn meniscus is no joke, though. Having a full repair done creates the potential for complications, and it was a serious surgery and recovery process. The team, and Westbrook, went that direction with the future in mind, trying to make sure they made the best decision for Westbrook’s long career. Now, he’s had to go under the knife again and things have been delayed. Maybe because people are antsy with the way Derrick Rose’s recovery went, but there’s real anxiety about Westbrook’s 2013-14 season. The most important thing to remember is that this is all done with Westbrook’s long-term career in mind. The Thunder don’t want to take any shortcuts or cut any corners. Presti said this Monday: “Although we lost a little bit of time, we gained a tremendous amount of confidence in the recovery and the knee itself.” The meniscus repair was found to have been successful, so that much seems to be covered. This setback is more about the recovery and less about the original injury. That’s a good thing.”
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.
It had been discussed right after JR Smith’s surgery became public, that it was delayed to help get a better contract. As it turned out, Smith still only received under 18 million for 3 years from the Knicks. The Knicks organization (known for lack of credibility) claims that they were aware of the situation at all times, and that there was no deception.
Regarding Deron Williams, injuries have been the major reason for his setbacks. Last year he couldn’t even walk up the stairs of his Loft in less than 10 minutes, until after the All Star break. He has had wrist and ankle problems.