Deron Williams’ play last night versus the Celtics gives reason for Nets fans to be hopeful

Deron, in returning to the Nets' lineup, showed just how big an effect he has on this team

The Nets have won two games in-a-row for the first time all season, as their last two contests have been triumphs over the Celtics and Bucks respectively. In those games, Brook Lopez has hit over 80 percent of his shots (21-26) and has been a major reason (maybe the biggest one) Brooklyn is on their mini-streak. However, the second biggest reason for the Nets recent surge has to be the return of Deron Williams, who was back on the floor last night for the first in over two weeks.

D-Will, coming off a sprained ankle, was explosive, aggressive, and looked to be playing with something to prove, which resulted in a great 25-point, 7-assist effort from the Nets' point guard. He finally played like the guy who was unstoppable for the Utah Jazz and at times for these Nets, in Brooklyn and New Jersey.

Deron even ran coast-to-coast on the fastbreak–which he hasn't done at all this year and has rarely done in prior years–after Celtics' baskets, giving the Nets quick points to maintain their lead. He also was active on defense, fighting around screens and picks, set up his teammates well, and even hit a few jumpers. Overall, in his debut game from a scary injury, Deron earned an A++ as he simultaneously exhibited that his ankle is 100 percent fine and that he's ready to return to the All-Star version of D-Will the Nets traded for a few years back.

Granted, the Nets are still just 7-14 on the season and have a tough home game against the Clippers tomorrow night (on TNT nonetheless). However, their schedule eases up a bit after that game (Pistons, Wizards, 76ers twice) so it's not totally out of the realm of possibility that, with some extended high level play and lack of new injuries, Brooklyn is close to .500 in two weeks or so, which–considering the Nets' 3-10 start to the year–would be a major positive.

It all depends on if Deron and Brook can keep up their great play from recent games, in addition to necessary contributions from the rest of the team. If Jason Kidd's group can get that elite play from its two main stars, then the Eastern Conference needs to watch out for these Nets.