SH Blog: Deron Williams still plans to play in opener

The season is a little over a week from starting, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the draft, at least if you’re a Sixers fan. Or a Canadian who can’t wait for the dominance that Andrew Wiggins will surely bring on the international scene.

Wiggins, of course, is #1 on our first (very early) mock draft. The real fun comes with #2, or maybe #3. Suns, Kings, Celtics fans: get to know these names. It’s never too early.

Now let’s get to the latest from the NBA:

• Deron Williams injury update from Tim Bontemps of the New York Post: “One month after the Nets first announced Deron Williams had suffered a sprained right ankle, it still remains unclear when the star point guard will return to the floor. Williams has increased his workload during practice each of the past two days, according to coach Jason Kidd, and Paul Pierce went as far as to say the team “had a chance to see [Williams] get his feet wet a little” during the two practices, which could be taken as a positive sign in his recovery. But when Kidd was asked Saturday if Williams could play in either of the team’s final two preseason games — Wednesday in Boston or Friday in Miami — Kidd declined to say.”

• When asked if he still expects to play vs. #Cavs in opener, Deron said: “I hope so. That’s the plan.” #Nets

  — Rod Boone (@rodboone) October 20, 2013

   

• Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe seems pretty positive on the Celtics: “The Celtics do not have a legitimate point guard with NBA experience, meaning they will have to rely on rookie Phil Pressey and third-year player Avery Bradley early in the season. There is no legitimate center, and a logjam at power forward. Strangely enough, however, the Celtics could compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference given teams such as Washington, Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto are improved but not proven. “I honestly don’t know what my expectations are until I see this team play together,” said Ainge. “We have a brand new coaching staff that’s never worked together. I’m excited about it. I expect those guys to play hard every game and we’ll figure it out as the year goes on. Our minute distribution is going to be a challenge for Coach Stevens. We have logjams at certain positions. But this is a time of year where there’s not a lot of deals made to fix that. We tried to make the roster more balanced, but we like each of the players. There’s not enough minutes to go around to keep everybody fed.” “

• Nick Young on Doc Rivers covering up the Lakers’ banners: “He can do that? For real? That’s disrespectful. We got to talk to Doc.”

  — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 20, 2013

   

• D’Antoni on Bannergate: “That’s their court at that time. I probably wouldn’t have Laker stuff around if it’s my court. I don’t blame them”

  — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 20, 2013

   

• With Derrick Favors getting his extension, talk naturally turned to whether Gordon Hayward would get one from the Jazz. Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake City Tribune has the latest on that: “The Jazz front office continues to have talks with fourth-year forward Gordon Hayward about a possible contract extension. But even after the team announced Saturday it had agreed to a multi-year deal with forward Derrick Favors, worth a reported $49 million over four seasons, Hayward said he is not concerned about getting a deal done. “Not at all,” he said. “Extremely happy for him. It’s great for the organization, for [Favors]. Couldn’t be happier for him. I’m just playing basketball. I don’t worry about that.” “