Deron Williams is everybody’s top-two pick for best NBA point guard. Who you see as being better between Chris Paul and D-Will is splitting subjective hairs; you would take either if you had the chance. He doesn’t care so much that he separates himself from Paul this season as much that he wants to separate himself from EVERYONE who’s not a Brooklyn Net. He made that pretty clear Tuesday when he said he couldn’t take the laughing, the happiness, that happened in the Nets’ locker room last season after losses — and there were 44 in a 66-game schedule, mind you. He didn’t get why some people on the team didn’t care that a majority of the nation only knew the team because of Kris Humphries TV show. And if he silently held it in then, he’s not mincing words about it now. Now, here’s the grain of salt: We always hear secure NBA players talk about how “this year will be different” or in Williams’ case, “it’s night and day, last year to this year.” We’ve seen Kevin Love talk about how some cough bad influences cough grated on him last season, too, by not caring enough about losses. Especially after a bad season, it’s a way to get the fan base energized by telling them that was last year, this is now. With D-Will though we give it more credence than most proclamations because he hasn’t been to the playoffs in three seasons and he needs to get there just as bad as the Nets (they haven’t been since 2007). Laying down the law early lets his teammates know it’s a business. … Rudy Gay has made his name in the NBA, but it’s on the lower rungs of being ‘made’ in the league. He’s not a household name, but he’s the guy you want on your team and is a big-time player. He’s not been a part of big playoff success (he missed that 2011 8-over-1 upset) but he’s consistent enough to where you believe he could be. He signed a max contract in 2011 but his name was circling in the trade winds last season. It’s that “getting over the hump” part that has him playing with a chip on his shoulder this season. He said at Grizzlies training camp that being cut from Team USA this summer has been fueling his workouts the whole time. He wisely didn’t say this during the summer, when we were all full of red, white and blue pride. But now that the whole has dissolved into its many NBA parts, he’s more than able to say that he isn’t happy he was passed over. If he gets on Team USA his profile would have blown up nationally. Looks like he’ll have to achieve that with his game this year now. … We knew it was coming but Dwyane Wade and Jordan Brand announced today they’ll no longer be working together. That means no more Wade commercials, which were pretty damn entertaining in retrospect. … Hit the jump to read about a roster-or-bust plan in Portland …
Adam Morrison‘s giving it one more go-’round as a professional basketball player. He’s done the Europe thing and he’s done the D-League and Summer League and even a championship run. But he knows if he can’t make the Trail Blazers’ roster, he’s picking up coaching. He told Comcast Sports Northwest about his resolution to himself and that it’s been a decent run if it doesn’t work out. Here’s our favorite quote from Chris Haynes‘ report: “Ok, it didn’t go well, but it’s not like I’m destitute, and broke, and homeless.” He seems like he’s coming out of his NBA career — because how many really believe he’s going to stick in Portland, even considering his 20 ppg average in Summer League? — with the right attitude. And like he said, at least he’s not as “Broke” as the dudes in ESPN’s documentary Tuesday night. … We have to applaud the guys from “Pardon the Interruption” today, because Mike Wilbon said, honestly, we’re going to talk about the Lakers every day here. Good to know, because we probably will be too. And with that … It was a good sign that Dwight Howard practiced in El Segundo today. That there is no doubt. If you think it’s dumb to pay attention every day to his back, it’s one day closer that this team develops its full-speed, on-court chemistry and that is a very, very bad thing for the rest of the NBA. … Which Lakers team had the most talent, then? How many will anoint this year’s group already? If it’s by talent and not titles, that Payton-Malone-Bryant-O’Neal group has to be right up there. Has to. … Elsewhere in L.A. Chris Paul was already asked about Free Agency 2013, and he covered his bases, as usual, by saying he’s going to weigh all options. But then he said “It’s no secret. Everybody knows I love it here.” … We’re out like our free time after NBA 2K13’s drop.
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