Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: 10 Best playoff performances of 2010s

By Jeremy Goldstein

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brook Lopez #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on January 18, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Nets defeated the Hawks 94-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brook Lopez #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on January 18, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Nets defeated the Hawks 94-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
Deron Williams #8 of the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

1. Deron Williams, “The Resurrection” Game, 2015 First Round Game 4

Did Deron Williams live up to expectations in Brooklyn? Judging by all-star appearances and playoff success, the answer is probably no. In an interview a year after his exit from the team, Paul Pierce had this to say about Williams:

"“Before I got there, I looked at Deron as an MVP candidate,” Pierce said. “But I felt once we got there, that’s not what he wanted to be. He just didn’t want that.”"

In 2012-13, Williams should have at least been considered on the outskirts in the MVP race. He finished tied for eighth in the NBA in win shares with a guy named Kobe Bryant, also finishing with a .574% TS%, tied for his career-high.

His performance trailed off dramatically and by the 2014-15 season, as he was even benched for a series of games. In the first three games, he scored a combined 18 points and managed to miss a potential game-tying, uncontested jumper at the end of Game 2.

So when Williams exploded for 35 with seven three-pointers in Game 4, it reminded Nets fans of what could have been (a phrase I’ve been writing a lot in this piece). His talent was enigmatic and often shrouded, but he turned it on, D-Will showed why the team once almost mortgaged the future for him.

Down two with 1:55 left, Williams frantically dribbed as the shot clock ticked down and had to let fly from 27. Of course, he absolutely splashed, and the Nets went on to win in overtime. On the nostalgia meter, this moment registered: TEARS. I strongly remember crying, cognizant of the whispers that the Nets would waive the former Jazz guard at season’s end.  (skip to 1:40)

Sure enough, Williams shot 25% from the floor in a 5-point showing the following game and the magic was over. Effectively, the Hawks series captured everything about D-Will that was so tantalizing yet simultaneously, so disappointing.