France-based Basket Europe has a brief writeup (and video highlights — but so does BallinEurope; see below the break) on locked out New Jersey Net Deron Williams’ latest success here on the Continent, describing D-Will as “en mode All Star.”
Beşiktaş Milangaz cruised past Armia in game two of FIBA Eurochallenge play as Williams was good for 31 points, including 5-of-9 shooting on threes, and six assists in the 103-82 win. Nets fans might also note that their theoretical player Sundiata Gaines turned in a nice eight-assist, three-steal performance for Armia.
The usual suspects were once behind Williams in victory: Semih Erden put in 20 points, grabbed three rebounds and snatched three steals; David Hawkins was good for 17 points and three steals; and Marcelus Kemp contributed 19 points and five rebounds.
Since bowing out in the Eurocup Qualifying Round, Besiktas has gone undefeated: The Eagles are 5-0 in TBL play and 2-0 in Eurochallenge. But don’t tell coach Ergin Ataman. Said he to media in the post-game, “I don’t know how many wins we have now. I’ll let you do the counting.”