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"Strong New Team" Excites D-Will

By Net Income Updated
July 14, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; United States guard Deron Williams (8) dribbles the ball during USA team training at the DC Armory. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE
July 14, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; United States guard Deron Williams (8) dribbles the ball during USA team training at the DC Armory. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

In an interview with Moscow's TV Rain Tuesday, Deron Williams talks about how excited he is about "a great new arena and a very strong team" as well as playing for Mikhail Prokhorov --"He understand that basketball needs Investment", and why he chose the Nets over the Mavericks --" I’ve spent the last season and a half with the Nets, they invested a lot in me."

Williams who visited Moscow at the end of June told interviewer Dmitry Materansky he and Amy would love to return to Russia, this time to visit St. Petersburg and other cities. Speaking of travel, Gary Sussman tweets that both Billy King and Avery Johnson are headed to London for the medal round in mens' basketball. No word on whether Prokhorov will also be on hand.

On the upcoming season:

"I’m very excited and can’t wait to get there. We have such a great arena and a very strong new team. I’m really looking forward to getting to training camp and to starting work, developing our team chemistry and playing as a team as quickly as possible. I think we’ll be in the playoffs this season, and that will be fantastic."

On the unique opportunity of playing for the first foreign NBA team owner:

"it’s good. He’s very powerful. He understands that basketball needs investment in order to achieve results and he’s willing to take those steps. That’s allowing us to create a strong team. And he’s a great guy and a great owner."

On his decision to stay with the Nets:

"It was very tough, very tough. Both of the offers were really good. I’m from Dallas, grew up there. My parents are there and many of my relatives. I’ve spent the last season and a half with the Nets, they invested a lot in me, so…"

On how he announced his decision on Facebook and Twitter:

"I had to let the teams know, so first I called them and then I posted it. "

(Thanks to Ellen Pinchuk of Mikhailov and Partners, Prokhorov's public relations agency, for the translation.)

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