"The boos that failed to derail Carlos Boozer and the Chicago Bulls apparently worked against Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets.

In the latest episode of a former Jazz All-Star's homecoming, Williams responded to the anti-welcoming committee with a horrible shooting performance in the Jazz's 107-94 victory Saturday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

D-Will deserved better treatment.

Some cheers were mixed with the boos during the introductions, but not enough of them. I never like to criticize fans who pay a lot of money to get in the building. Yet I'm not sure those who were doing the booing thought it through, either.

If they were punishing Williams for forcing out former coach Jerry Sloan, by extension they were booing Tyrone Corbin, Sloan's replacement.

If they were making Williams suffer for being traded before he could depart as a free agent, they in turn were booing Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, who would not otherwise be here.

In his six seasons in Utah, Williams lifted this franchise and made it relevant again. For all the improvement the Jazz have shown this month, it will be a long time until they appear in the Western Conference finals. It'll be a while before they win a playoff game, period.

The 2007 playoff run that featured a Game 7 victory in Houston remains the Jazz's high point of the past decade and of the foreseeable future. Williams gave the Jazz and this community his best effort, always trying to win basketball games and making an impact off the court with his Point of Hope Foundation."