The Dallas Mavericks need a lot of things to go right in order for them to be a playoff team this season. Chief among those things might be a resurgence from their new point guard Deron Williams who signed with the Mavericks after being bought out by the Brooklyn Nets. Williams signed a two year $11 million deal with the Mavericks and will be playing for his hometown team. There are many people expecting a bounce back from Williams because of the change of scenery and so far things are looking pretty good, according to Tim McMahon of ESPN.
To this point Williams has just competed in informal AAC workouts but he has reportedly looked quick and lean which is a great sign for Mavericks fans. Williams knows he has a lot to prove after a failed tenure in Brooklyn and should be highly motivated to get back to the Williams that was once considered the top point guard in the NBA.
In his four and a half seasons with Brooklyn/New Jersey Williams averaged 16.6 points and 7.5 assists per game which is close to his career averages but his shooting percentage plummeted. With the Utah Jazz Williams shot 47 percent from the floor but with the Nets he only shot 42 percent and was regularly unable to finish in traffic.
The main reasons for Williams' lack of success in Brooklyn were injuries and a lack of confidence. Williams is reportedly healthy now and should gain confidence with the change of scenery and playing for his hometown team.
Williams is entering his 11th season in the NBA but is still only 31 years old and if he can get back to his former All-Star and All-NBA self he can propel the Mavericks into a playoff spot in the Western Conference and potentially make them a threat. The Mavericks need someone to step up as Dirk Nowitzki is now 37 years old and can't play major minutes and that person might be Williams.
The projected starting lineup for the Mavs is Williams, Wesley Matthews, Chandler Parsons, Nowitzki and Zaza Pachulia. If all of those guys play like they did at their peak (with the exception of Dirk) this team has a chance to make some noise. Williams is looking healthy and motivated now and that has to make Mavericks fans feel good as he alone can take this team from a potential lottery team to a potential playoff team.
