Deron Williams...In His Own Words, Part III

Every once in a while, panic sets in.  When Deron Williams speaks, the parsing begins among Nets fans.  He said that but must have meant this. He's leaving. No, he's staying.  So, again every once in a while we think it's wise and reasonable to lay out just what D-Will actually said.

We've updated D-Will quotes from the NetsDaily files, starting with Williams' introductory press conference and including  his Facebook message, where he said Barclays Center "will be a baller's paradise" and what he said while playing video games with Tyreke Evans in San Diego in early May, what he said to Al Iannazzone in June and finally what he said to Chris Broussard about Turkey and the lockout as it affects his role with the Nets.  We've eliminated the quotes from his ex-agent (although they were quite nice.)

Bottom line: there has been little if any change in his comments since Day 1. He likes what the Nets have to offer but wants them to add talent to their roster.  And since Billy King said way back in May that people should pay attention only to what he and D-Will say, parse away...

"I'm excited to be a Net..."At first, it was a little bit of shock, but after talking to (GM) Billy King, talking to coach (Avery) Johnson, and just seeing the direction that they want to go in and the vision for their organization , it just really got me excited about the possibilities of competing for a championship in the next couple of years...It’s definitely a change, and a challenge, but I look forward to turning this thing around and competing for a title.

"They're very ambitious in going after a lot of guys. I'm going to help with that as well."

"I can’t really give any assurances, or say that I’ll be here [because] I don’t know what the future holds.  I look forward to the possibility of it; it’s definitely a strong possibility. It all depends on how the next year goes – the CBA, the type of moves we make and the people we bring into this organization."

--February 24, Introductory Press Conference, PNY Center

"I’m gonna look to recruit guys... Since I’ve been in this league my ultimate goal is a championship. I want that and hopefully this franchise is going in the right direction. A lot of things appeal to me. The move to Brooklyn and we have a lot of money to get marquee guys and bring some guys in here is definitely appealing to me."

--February 25, Interview with Evan Roberts & Joe Benigno, WFAN

"There’s a lot of stuff that appeals to me as far as my future here. When your owner says he’s going to spend the money and put people around you that’s definitely appealing. Hopefully we can start winning some games and that the owner has a lot of power to get some people here. That will definitely draw some crowds. I’m sure the move to Brooklyn will.

"I'm excited to be here and trying to lead this team in the right direction: toward the goal of a championship."

--February 28, Home Debut, Prudential Center

"Everybody’s been great, the team has been great, the coaching staff has been great. The whole coaching staff has been great, making my experience great so far..."I’m going to have to [turn into a recruiter]. I tried to do it in Utah. But it’s tough. It was a tough situation. You’ve got to do it. Guys have to want to play with you and hopefully they will. And I’m going to try and recruit some guys to come here and help."

--March 3, Interview with Sekou Smith, NBA.com

"Yesterday, Amy and I were thrilled to welcome our new son and Nets fan into the family! I’m looking forward to hooping it up with him one day. It was a win-win day as my Nets pulled off a W against the Warriors. Next up? Clips at home Friday night!"

--March 10, Facebook

"[The Nets] are doing everything they can to get me stay here.  The organization is great, the coaching staff is great, the players are great.  Im having a lot of fun."

--March 16, Interview with Dan Patrick

"How can you commit to something you just got into? I just got here. I haven't even been here a month. How can I just say I'm going to stay here? That'll be great because that's what people want to hear, but I can't say that."

"You can definitely tell their objective is to keep me here. I've had a lot of good conversations. I met with Dmitry Razumov (Prokhorov's chief aide) and Mr. Prokhorov. They're pretty much keeping me in the loop.

"I've never been a free agent so, I mean, at some point I'm probably going to become a free agent.

"I'm going to need some help. We're going to need to get some other pieces."

--March 29, Interview with Stefan Bondy.

"I like this organization a lot. I like the direction they’re going. They made me and my family feel real comfortable since I’ve gotten here.

"I like Coach (Avery) Johnson — the way he coaches and the way he carries himself. I definitely can see myself staying here.

"We’ve had a lot of open communication in a short period of time that I really like.  And just the organization in general, how they handle themselves from top to bottom. I think everybody has just been great here and I like how things are run.

"I would like to not have the distraction (of looming free agency) during the season."

--April 14, Season's End Press Conference

"It's cool to see the beams up. You hear about how it's going to look and how it's going to be finished. But it's good to come and see how the progress is. You can kind of start picturing it, what it's going to be like, see the layout of things. And it's good to see the area – I hadn't been to this area yet. It's different. This is in the heart of the city. It's kind of like the Garden. It's the same feel. It's special."

--April 27, Barclays Center Tour

"This place will be a ballers' paradise!"

--April 28 on Facebook, following Barclays Center tour

"We got the young pieces, but we need some proven guys, some veterans that have been around that have won. That’s what we are going to try and accomplish in the off-season ... I am all about winning. I’m not really interested in being on a team that’s going to try and rebuild for years and years".

--May 3, Interview with Cub Beunning, SLAM

"I'm definitely liking the organization. I'm liking Coach Johnson, and after numerous discussions with the organization, i feel they're going in the right direction... I think they know that. I think they knew that going into the situation...i think that's doable, especially now. In Utah, it wasn't as easy. Here once they move to brooklyn, thats definitely appealing to people, a new arena and the ownership. The owner is committed to winning. So it's a lot easier still."

--May 3, Interview with Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo, ESPN Radio

"I like the prospect of staying here..."To be honest with you, we just have to get players.  That's it.  Everything else is great: the organization is great from top to bottom, the owner is committed to winning, committed to getting players. That's the bottom line. We have to get some players."

--May 3, Interview with Chris Carrino, New Jersey Nets

"It was definitely different. It caught me off guard when I got traded, and took me a little while to fit in. It wasn’t the best timing for everything to happen.  But, since things have settled down, and I’ve had a chance to be around the organization, they’ve been great to me. They’ve made me feel really comfortable. I had a conversation with the owner, Mr. Prokhorov, and the direction he wants to take things in has got me really excited. I went and saw the site for the new arena, and how things are progressing there. There’s definitely some things that I’m looking forward to over the next year, and that will help me decide on what I want to do with my future after that.

--May 3, Interview with Brent Ringenbach, FUEL TV

(On the trade:)

"It was a little unexpected, took a little while to process and for the little cloud to go away. It wasn't the best timing for my family, but it's a new chapter, a new challenge and I look forward to it."

(On whether he'll stay a Net:)

"We'll see. we got to see how things go in free agency, get some guys in there. The organization has been so great to me, you know, in my little time there, making me comfortable so I'm defintely going to have to look hard at it."

(On Mikhail Prokhorov:)

"(Prokhorov) definitely has cash. I've had a couple of sitdowns with him, had some good conversations. He's a nice guy, definitely motivated to win, which you have to love and dedicated to find ways to win a championship.  That's what you want to hear".

(On whether Prokhorov asked him to do "recruitng D-Wade style":)

"That's my job anyway. Got to do my job. I've already started and keep going." 

(On whether he has players in mind:)

"Of course, but I can't really name names."

(On Avery Johnson:)

"He's been great as well, when I talk about the organization, from top to bottom, they've made me feel great and Coach Johnson is a big part of that. You know, we've had a short time to be together, but we've formed a good relationship.  We talk still and I look forward to playing for him."

(On getting top recruits to join him, and getting the Nets to the championship:)

"Hopefully, that's the plan (smiles)."

--May 4, Interview with Zac Dubasik, Sole Collector

"We'll see. I'm definitely warming up to it and the organization has been great to me since I've been there and has made me feel real comfortable. I like coach Johnson and the rest of the coaching staff. I just want to win. That's my main objective. If we can get good guys in there and do something with the cap space that we have, then I can see myself staying there".

--May 5, Interview with Nicki Jhabvala, Sports Illustrated

(On Barclays Center) 

"It was great. It was great to see the new site, the surrounding areas, get a feel for where everything is going to be and seeing a little more of the vision the franchise has."

"It’s cool. You can see everything coming together and they kind of walked me through where everything is going to be at. There was enough up to see where the fans are and get a feel for how it’s going to be and what type of what type of arena it’s going to be. It’s going to be a real close, intimate atmosphere. I kind of like that. You know it’s going to be spectacular. They’re spending so much money it has to be. Until you see it in person you can’t really imagine how it’s going to be."

(On contact with Billy King and Avery Johnson)

"I’ve had quite a bit if contact with them. I’ve stayed in touch with both of them. We text back and forth and talk on occasion."

"[Winning] is No. 1. I want to win. That’s what I want to do. I’m not really interested in being a part of an extended rebuilding process. They know that. They understand that. You go from there...They’re willing to do whatever it takes to put together a contender. I like that."

(On NBA teams emulating the Heat)

"They’re going to try. That’s what you have to do now. If you want to be as a team as good as them you have to have some players as good as them. You have to have some athletes. We’re going to have to try and follow that model."

"It’s always been said that defense wins championships. They are a great defensive team. All those guys get out and guard. I think it goes with their athleticism. They’re able to cover a lot of ground and cover a lot players that a lot of teams aren’t able to cover and that’s what makes them so special."

(On the Nets emulating the Heat)

"I hope so. That’s what we’re going to have to do. We talk a lot about getting some athletes in there. We have some good pieces and athletes, but we need some more. We need to be a team that can get up and down and lock down defensively when we have to."

(On moving to the New York area)

"I’m going to wait until after the lockout."

(On where he plans to live once things are settled)

"I’m probably going to do Manhattan.

--June 2, Interview with Al Iannazzone, The Record

"They have big dreams for Brooklyn and I can kind of picture that. It kind of excites me. I think it can be big."

(On the possibility of the lockout lasting the entire season)
"I think it will kind of put a damper on things because I want to see where the Nets are going this season. See what kind of additions we can make, because that will definitely help. But I don't know. I still can't really say anything until the new CBA because who knows if I even can opt out? There's no telling."

--July 9, Interview with Chris Broussard, ESPN

"For my Nets fans, I want you to know that while I'm comfortable over here, I'm not too comfortable. I'm still always ready to come back to the U.S. and have a good NBA season, and hopefully make some noise in the Eastern Conference".

--October 8, D-Will's Turkey Diary, Part 1: The transition