USA - D-Will does it again

CHARLOTTE (NBA/Olympics) - Deron Williams has endured a tough season in the NBA because the New Jersey Nets are struggling, but on Sunday the USA Olympic hopeful made sure the week would end on a positive note.

The playmaker erupted for a career-high 57 points and led the Nets to a 104-101 triumph at the Charlotte Bobcats.

It marked the second time in this basketball year that Williams reached the half-century mark in points.

Similar to his 50-point outburst in a EuroChallenge game with Besiktas against German outfit Gottingen in Istanbul on November 22 – an explosion that contributed to the Turkish club’s decision to raise Williams’ jersey to the rafters in their arena as a show of thanks before he returned to the Nets after the end of the NBA Lockout – the 27-year-old put up a big number on a bad team.

Gottingen didn’t win a game in the EuroChallenge and they have just two victories in 25 games in Germany’s BEKO BBL, while Charlotte are an NBA-worst 4-31.

Even with that in mind, no one can dispute that Williams was amazing in both games.

He was nine of 11 at the free-throw line against Gottingen and a perfect 21 of 21 against the Bobcats.

His eyes were as big as saucers on Sunday because opposing coach Paul Silas chose not to double-team him on pick-and-rolls.

"I'm used to getting double-teamed on pick-and-roll," Williams said. "Refreshing not to."

"We tried some blitzing (trapping the ball out of Williams' hands), but they have guys who can shoot, so you can’t do that too much," said Bobcats guard DJ Augustin.

"People don't realize how strong he is and he's really quick for his size."

And that is a problem that opponents will face in London if Williams makes the USA squad for the second straight Olympics.

Double-teams would lead to open looks for his American teammates.

No player in the NBA has scored as many points in a single game this season as Williams.

Team USA’s Kevin Durant, the MVP of the 2010 FIBA World Championship, had 51 in a 124-118 overtime triumph against Denver.

At no position are the USA as deep as point guard, so more performances like Sunday’s will help Williams make sure he is on the flight to London.

When Williams was named among the 20 finalists for the Olympic squad, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said: “I do feel we are extremely, extremely strong at the point position, as evidenced by some people who are not even in the roster of 20…”

Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Williams and Russell Westbrook are playmakers that are among the finalists.

Chauncey Billups was named as a finalist as well back on January 16 but his Olympic hopes vanished after he went down with a season-ending injury.

The more important aspect of Williams’ performance on Sunday is that it capped a great comeback because the Nets had fallen behind by 16 points yet still won, and that means a day off for the players as a reward.

"Coach (Avery Johnson) said we'd be off Monday if we won,” Williams said.

“I had an 11:39 tee time.”

FIBA