Nets.com writer Ben Couch had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Deron Williams upon the All-Star guard's return to Brooklyn after the Olympics. The two-time Olympic gold winner admitted his latest medal hasn't really left his neck since receiving it on Sunday. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
On what it feels like to win a second gold medal during the Olympics:
It means a lot. I think it's really special to be an Olympian, to have that honor just to be an Olympian. But to win two Gold Medals is a great accomplishment — there's only eight people that have done that as far as basketball is concerned. I definitely feel honored to have had the opportunity.
On how he developed a relationship with the many talented players on the roster as a point guard:
It's a little bit of both: it's easier, just because you have so many weapons and you know it can come from anywhere on any given night. But for the most part, you don't play like you do during the season; you kind of have to adapt and adjust, and that takes some getting used to. But I think it's fun, and I think we enjoyed it.
On his perceptions of the Barclays Center and his level of excitement to play there:
I'll be surprised if it's open in a month, from looking at it. I kept messing with them: 'You guys got a lot of work to do in the next 43 days.' We'll see, but I went a week before I left (for the Olympics) — so about six weeks ago — and the changes from then to now, you definitely can see them. And I went a couple of months before that, and it didn't look anything like it does now, then. So they're definitley making progress. They're working on it 24-7, they've got the scoreboard up. I went and saw my suite, where my family's going to sit during games. So that was cool.
On the moves the Nets made during the offseason and how he thinks the team will fare in 2012/13:
I thought we made great moves. I think we'll put a great team out there. It should be an exciting team. Only time will tell how good we can be, once we get into training camp and see how we mesh and jell.