"To say it has been a rough rookie season for the Nets' Terrence Williams would be a major understatement, like saying it has been a rough season for the Nets, period.

Williams was awarded playing time early, but eventually lost both time and favor with ill-timed, ill-conceived actions. He was late for meetings, missed a team bus, slept in through a shootaround. They were disastrous maneuvers for any player, but especially for a rookie trying to earn his place. Plus, Williams' play raised eyebrows. Too many jumpers, too much playing for Terrence Williams and not for the Nets.

So team president Rod Thorn plus interim coach and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe sat Williams down. It was time to grow up, be professional, be a team guy, they said -- minus all the sugar-coating.

"Both Kiki and I have spoken to Terrence. I think he is starting to figure it out," Thorn said. "He is doing better. He wants to play better and he is reaching an understanding that he has to do it in practice and games. And he has been better and better. He has such a high skill package.""