Jason Kidd Wants Deron Williams to Average Double-Digit Assists This Season

Deron Williams averaged 7.7 assists per game last season, well short of his career high of 10.7 in ’08-09. His new coach Jason Kidd would like to get that number back up, according to the Daily News: “The possible reasons for Deron Williams’ regression have been documented and dissected, with conclusions mostly bouncing from an extended aberration to the beginnings of an ill-timed downfall. There were injuries to blame in New Jersey, along with subpar teammates and poor fan support. Then there were more injuries in Brooklyn, extra weight, and Avery Johnson’s unimaginative offense. But since Jason Kidd’s introductory press conference in July, Brooklyn’s coach has aggressively pitched the rejuvenation of his point guard. It’s a task Kidd seems most qualified to accomplish given his history at the position. On Sunday, the rookie coach revealed a statistical goal for Williams. It concerns passing, not surprisingly. ‘I’m going to push him. I want the best for him,’ Kidd said after signing autographs at the Nets’ merchandise store in Coney Island. ‘When we sit down and talk about goals, team goals and also individual goals, I’m going to push him and I want to get him back to double-digit assists.’ Williams hasn’t averaged at least 10 assists since 2010-11, which represented the fourth straight season he eclipsed that mark. Last season’s 7.7 assists per game was Williams’ lowest output since he was a rookie.  And as the assist numbers dipped in the last two seasons, so did Williams’ shooting percentage. But there was a tangible turning point, which Kidd referenced Sunday. After undergoing multiple procedures to his inflamed ankles during the All-Star break, Williams dropped about 15 pounds by changing his diet and exercise routine.”