Utah Jazz notebook: Deron Williams returns, leads Jazz to victory

SALT LAKE CITY — Before returning for Monday's win over the Dallas Mavericks, the amount of basketball Deron Williams played from Thursday through Sunday could be summed up in one word.

"None," he said.

It apparently was a much-needed break from the game for Williams, who missed Friday's win over Sacramento and practice Sunday so he could attend an uncle's funeral in the Jazz point guard's native West Virginia.

"I feel good," said Williams, tapped last Thursday to make his first NBA All-Star Game appearance on Feb. 14 in the Dallas area.

"Rest is always good at this point in the season," he added, the Jazz now 47 games into their 82-game regular season. "Missing a couple of days — it's not gonna hurt me."

Williams was oh-so-right, as he scored 18 points while dishing 15 assists against the Mavs — putting behind a week full of mixed emotions.

"It's kind of bittersweet — your first All-Star Game, and my uncle dies," he said. "But I had a good time. I got to see a lot of family I hadn't seen in a while. You know, funerals always bring people closer to together."

Speaking to Utah media members for the first time since his All-Star selection, Williams on Monday weighed in on a few issues related to the league's annual in-season showcase game: On not getting picked previously: "There definitely was a little bit of frustration. I feel like I had been All-Star a couple years. But last season I was hurt; I missed a lot of games, so that was understandable. And our team wasn't always at the top of the conference come All-Star break, so that's another reason."

On fellow All-Star point guard and good friend Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets being out indefinitely and having to miss the game because of a knee injury: "That's tough for him, tough for his team. I'll pray for him, and hopefully he gets back as soon as possible."

On if Denver Nuggets point Chauncey Billups should replace Paul on the Western Conference All-Star roster: "You know, I think Booz (Jazz teammate Carlos Boozer) deserves some consideration. Chauncey, of course. They're the second-best team, and they only have one guy (Carmelo Anthony) on the team. So Chauncey definitely deserves it as well."

NBA commissioner David Stern will name Paul's fill-in, and injured All-Stars often are replaced by someone who plays the same position.