During the 2007 Pepsi Pro Summer League, which took place in July, New Jersey Nets backup point guard Marcus Williams averaged 16 points, 6 aassists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, impressing many of the coaches and scouts in attendance. As Williams gets ready for his second year in the league, InsideHoops.com had a chance to catch up with Marcus while he was in Orlando for an exclusive intreview on his rookie year and what he expects for the upcoming season.

Just to be clear, this interview is from mid July, 2007. But it was posted August 13. Still, it's relevant and worth reading.

InsideHoops.com: How has playing with Jason Kidd helped you?

Marcus Williams: He’s been mentoring me ever since I got to New Jersey. He's helped me with everything, both on and off the court. He’s helped with offensive things, defensive things and time management. I think that's helped me [become] better as a person also.

InsideHoops.com: What do you see as your major point of improvement for the upcoming season?

MW: Decision making with defense, sometimes I tend to make one more play when I could just do singles.

InsideHoops.com: During your college career you were used to playing big minutes, was it tough to come in and have to wait your turn behind a player like Kidd?

MW: Of course it was difficult. All your life you’re used to playing big minutes, now you got to sit down, but you’re not just sitting behind anybody, you’re sitting behind Jason Kidd. I try to take it as a positive, learning from him, talking to him all the time and just watching him.

InsideHoops.com: After getting more and more minutes throughout the season, you could be playing a lot more in the 2007-08 season. Do you feel you’re ready to make that jump?

MW: I think so. Coming out here, showing I can be a leader. Showing I can make plays and play defense. I think that with give the staff in the front office some confidence in me. I'll be able to go out there and produce for the season.

InsideHoops.com: What have you tried to work on this off season?

MW: Getting in the lane, knocking down the high bank shots.

InsideHoops.com: With General Manager Rod Thorn's comments on how he wants you to play more, and at time there was speculation that Kidd was going to be traded and they were going to hand you the reins. How does that make you feel when you go on the court?

MW: Honestly when I'm on the court I don't think about it. Everything up until when I get on the court is great. I talk to Rod a lot. They are always in my ear telling me to just be ready. Anything can happen during the season, Jason may get hurt. Something may happen where I have to play big minutes, but they are always in my ear telling me to be ready.

InsideHoops.com: What do you see the Nets doing this year?

MW: I think we are going to be a little more experienced. We went to the second round and played a good Cleveland team, and I think we could have won the series, but I think this year without the addition of Sean Williams on defense. I mean our offense is always going to be there, I think it's just the defense.

InsideHoops.com: Vince Carter invited you to his house here in Florida, how was that?

MW: Everybody thinks that Vince is selfish. He takes shots but that's what he does, he's an offensive player. But he's there for all the young guys. He helps us out, off the court, on the court. He's a great person, but then to have us at his house to practice after lunch that only shows what kind of person he is.

InsideHoops.com: You were sort of in a similar situation last year to what Sean Williams had ahead of him this year. Have any of the coaches or front office members approached you about trying to take him under your wing?

MW: Sean just has to be himself. It's kind of hard, because I don't really know how he is as a person. But he seems to be real cool and laid back. We got to try and be occupied with things, probably try to keep him in the gym. We've be talking the whole time here, and I'm assuming we'll be talking every season a lot.

InsideHoops.com: So the coaches haven’t asked you about him?

MW: No, they just ask how he's playing and what kind of person he is. I'm sure they will find a person on the team to try and rough him up a little bit (laughing).