P.J. Carlesimo (AP)The Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks have one of the more awkwardly formed rivalries in basketball: the two only play twice per year, but are connected at the free agency hip because of Deron Williams’s decision to spurn Dallas and re-sign with Brooklyn for a maximum five years and $98 million. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who never met a quote he didn’t like, noted to reporters before Wednesday night’s Mavericks-Nets game (while working out) that Deron Williams was “old, old, old news,” and that he was pleased with the Mavericks’ flexibility going forward without a maximum contract like Williams bogging their future down.
Brooklyn Nets interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo heard about Cuban’s insistence that the Mavericks were better off without Williams, and had some choice words in return:
“I don’t know, but I’m sure [Williams] understands that you’re not gonna expect intelligent statements from Mark, anyhow,” Carlesimo said with a huge grin as reporters laughed.
Deron Williams scored 31 points on 13-25 shooting as the Nets beat the Mavericks in Dallas, 113-96.
