Deron Williams should be ready by training camp for the Nets. (USATSI)
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Brooklyn Nets' point guard Deron Williams has battled ankle injuries for years, and it's been a big part of the reason he's gone from being one of the best point guards in the league -- arguably the best point guard in the NBA -- to being someone who is no longer an All-Star. After another disappointing season in which he couldn't lead his team to contending for the NBA championship, Williams is looking to get healthier to get back to the form we all remember.
The team announced Tuesday that Williams had successful surgery on both ankles and will be back and ready in time for training camp at the end of September/early October. The surgery was performed by the Nets' foot and ankle specialist, removing spurs from the front and back of Williams' ankles. From the team's press release:
Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams underwent successful surgery today on both ankles, General Manager Billy King announced today. The surgery was performed by Nets' foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Martin O'Malley.
“The arthroscopic surgery performed today on Deron's left ankle included the removal of spurs from the front and back of the ankle, as well as a cleaning out of his ankle joint,' said Dr. O'Malley. “In addition, Deron underwent a procedure on his right ankle to remove a loose bone fragment that was below his right ankle joint. Deron is expected to be on crutches for 4-6 weeks and then begin rehabilitation. He is scheduled to begin light court activities in August, which will progress to full basketball activities in September. Deron is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the beginning of training camp.”
Williams played in just 64 games this season, averaging 14.3 points and 6.1 assists in 32.2 minutes. Those were the lowest averages in points, assists, and minutes for Williams since his rookie season. He's had multiple ankle injuries that limit his explosiveness and effectiveness over the last few seasons, and seems to only get real relief and progress when he undergoes multiple treatments on the ankles.
He just completed the second year of a five-year, $98 million contract he signed in the 2012 offseason. The Nets still owe Williams over $62 million over the next three seasons.
Basketball Hot News
Report: Donald Sterling’s lawyers say they have gotten offers in excess of $2.5 billion for Clippers
As with all things Donald Sterling, we start with this cautionary note: Take everything he and his people say with a grain of salt. Actually, a five-pound bag of the stuff. The smart move is to assume everything is a stalling tactic or an effort to somehow gain some measure of control over what is going on.
But on the day Sterling has to answer the NBA’s charges against him in the league’s effort to force a sale of the Los Angeles Clippers, his attorney dropped this, via NBC’s Los Angeles.
#BREAKING: #DonaldSterling lawyer tells @NBCNews #Clippers owner "…has received offers in excess of $2.5B" for the team.—
Robert Kovacik (@RobertNBCLA) May 27, 2014
While there has been buzz that with all the big names involved in the bidding the price was going to get north of $1.5 billion and up to $2 billion, this is still an eye-popping number.
Again, if I were cynical I would say this was an effort from Sterling’s attorney to slow the league’s process down and maintain control as his wife Shelly tries to sell the team. The old dazzle them with big numbers trick.
Actually, I am cynical about this, I think that is what is going on.
I also know the league is not slowing down its effort.
In the wake of the fallout from a leaked recording of Donald Sterling saying very prejudiced things — and sponsors pulling out as a result — the NBA started the process to remove him as owner of the Clippers. The league presented formal charges against Sterling last week and through their constitutional process — something Sterling and his wife agreed to and signed off on more than once — he has until Tuesday midnight to respond.
On June 3 there will be a Board of Governors meeting (the other 29 owners) where Sterling and his attorney can make their case, and the league will present its case. After that, if three quarters of the owners vote to remove Sterling he is gone, as is any other owner of the team — in this case his wife Shelly Sterling. At that point the league would take control of the franchise and sell the team through a blind bid process (Sterling would get the money from that sale, minus any fines and league expenses).
The league is not slowing down. No matter how much money Sterling’s attorney says is being offered — the league would get that same offer when it sold the team.
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