P.J. Carlesimo tried to stand up for Deron Williams, who has missed the Brooklyn Nets' two previous games with inflammation in both ankles.

Williams signed a five-year, $98 million contract with the Nets in the offseason.

"Everybody else has problems with Deron, I don't have any problems with Deron Williams," Carlesimo said. "I love Deron Williams and he's a great player. I'm a little bit befuddled at everything that's being made. He's a pretty good player. I don't have the problem with him that everybody else has or seems to have. I don't know what everyone else is looking at."

Williams was acquired by the Nets via trade in February of 2011.

"I think from the outside world, people will say things are OK in Brooklyn, and Deron has a lot to do with that. Deron's basically been the single most important factor in transforming the franchise, so honestly I don't understand it."