Eastern Conference scout claims Deron Williams' "best days are behind him"

It's not news to Brooklyn Nets fans that Deron Williams has been performing at a subpar level since his arrival to the Nets. There have been short stints, and one post-All-Star break run, where Deron Williams showed glimpses of his form from his Utah Jazz days. However, more often than not, he's disappointed time and time again. Enough so, that an Eastern Conference scout claims that Deron Williams has become overrated.

"I think his best days are behind him. I've watched him the last two years, and this is not the D-Will I remember in Utah, who I thought was maybe the best point guard in the NBA. I actually think Shaun Livingston is running the team better than Williams is right now. Maybe when Deron gets healthy, he'll get it back. But he's been playing this way for the last two years. I don't think he'll ever be the player he used to be."

The blurb was taken from a report done by Chris Broussard, where he compiled the league's most overrated and underrated players based off statements by scouts around the league. Deron Williams, clearly, managed to make the overrated list. To view the full list of names, one needs an ESPN "Insider" account, but NetsDaily posted the small write-up on Deron Williams.

For the season, Williams has been averaging a poor 14.0 points and 6.5 assists a game, both the lowest since his rookie season. This has come partly as a result of injuries, possibly partially as a result of Williams' decline, and partially from a small decrease in minutes per game (down about five minutes relative to last season).

The one thing that Williams has got going for him is an increase in his field goal percentage. He's shooting 45.4% from the field this season thus far, up 1.4% from last season and 4.7% from his first full season with the Nets.

Whether or not his best days are truly behind him remains to be unseen. If injuries are the biggest reason for his unsatisfactory season, then the only way we will be able to tell is if Williams is able to stay healthy for an extended period of time. If not, then maybe this is the best Deron Williams the Nets will see.

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