"Terrence Williams returned to the Nets on Wednesday after a near two-week stint in the NBA Development League and sounded as if he understands he needs to be more professional.

Williams is the Nets' most athletic and versatile player, but his repeated lateness led to his demotion to the Springfield Armor. He seems to have gotten the message Nets general manager Billy King and coach Avery Johnson sent.

Better late than never.

"It was an awakening," Williams said. "It woke me up a lot."

It hit home when Williams' mother called him crying because she thought his NBA career was over. He also said a 12-year-old Springfield ball boy put things in perspective when he said, "Why would you blow" your chance of playing in the NBA by being late?

"That and my mom crying was what really got to me," Williams said.

"My mom didn't cry in I don't know how many years. Her crying really got to me."

Now the Nets and everyone will see whether Williams is a changed man. It's up to Williams to embrace his second chance. He was on time for Wednesday's practice in Dallas and will be in the rotation tonight."