Point guard Deron Williams is all set to return back to play for the Utah Jazz after missing two games owing to a family emergency. Media reports Williams had to run carrying out medical tests for his daughters for an un-disclosed condition. Williams had to leave the team when it had finished half-way through a 4-game road trip to Utah. He returned to practice with the rest of the team on 16th November, 2009.
Williams expressed his regret of having to miss playing with the team. “It’s tough when you’re home sitting and watching when you should be there. It’s just a different feeling.” He was happy to have returned back to the team as they face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, 18th November 2009.
Jazz teammates are in full support of Williams and also respected his wish to keep the matter private. Forward Carlos Boozer, also from Jazz has had to face a similar situation and missed playing for the team for 2 years. “I told him to get the best advice he can and to hang in there. Sometimes as a parent, you can’t control what happens and sometimes you feel helpless,” Boozer quoted. “I went through that for two years. Basketball was my refuge.”
Williams is currently leading the Jazz with 24.4 points per game and an average of 9.9 assists. Although Williams left the team on Friday, the Jazz managed a 112-90 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Rookie Eric Maynor played in for Williams on Saturday as well, but lost the game to Cleveland Cavaliers 103 to 107. Maynor proved a savior to the team jolted by early-season injuries and William’s family emergency. Williams was in all praise of the draftee, “He wasn’t nervous, but I kind of sensed that about him. You can just tell the kind of player he is. He doesn’t play like a rookie. He doesn’t carry himself like a rookie. He has a confidence about himself.”