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Deron Williams headed to All-Star Game

In between injuries, the Nets learned that Deron Williams will represent the team at the All-Star game.

Williams was one of seven reserves selected to the Eastern Conference roster, which is quite an honor considering the Nets are 8-19 this season and tied with the Toronto Raptors for last place in the Atlantic Division.

The Nets point guard deserved the honor, though.

He has been a bright spot in what has been a debacle of a season. 

With his two best weapons injured, Williams has managed to keep the Nets competitive while posting All-Star numbers.

Williams is averaging 20.9 ppg and 8.6 apg. Nine assists is nothing to sneeze at considering the Nets are playing without Brook Lopez and MarShon Brooks.

The importance of the selection is not lost on Williams.

"I am very honored to be selected to this year’s All-Star game," Williams tweeted. "I would like to thank all of the coaches in the Eastern Conference."

The reserve selections are more telling than the starters, who are voted in by the fans.

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To illustrate that the fans' selections are worth no more than the paper they're printed on, Carmelo Anthony will start the game for the Eastern Conference.

Anthony has endured arguably the worst season of his career in New York as his team has been the first half's biggest disappointment.

Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Dwight Howard, all very much deserving, will be the other four starters.

Joining Williams on the Eastern Conference bench will be Andre Iguodala, Joe Johnson, Luol Deng, Roy Hibbert, Chris Bosh, and Paul Pierce.

Williams is the first Net to make the All-Star game since Devin Harris accomplished that feat in 2009. Williams was an All-Star in 2010 and 2011 with the Utah Jazz.

The game is slated for Feb. 26 in Orlando, where Williams and Dwight Howard will get to team up, if only for the night.

, New Jersey Nets Examiner

Greg Hrinya is in his third season covering the New Jersey Nets for Examiner.com. Prior to joining the Examiner team, Greg worked at The Poughkeepsie Journal and covered multiple sports there. He is a graduate of Marist College where he earned a degree in sports communications. He covered men's...

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