National Basketball Association

Nets coach fine not getting 'Melo

Published Mar. 16, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Nets coach Avery Johnson, riding a five-game winning streak and a victory over the Celtics, said Wednesday he likes his team just the way it is: with Deron Williams and without Carmelo Anthony.

Johnson said he is pleased with the way the NBA trade deadline worked out, landing point guard Williams instead of small forward Anthony, who wound up with the Knicks.

"Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make,'' Johnson told NJ.com at practice.

The Nets were rumored to be on the verge of acquiring Anthony and Chauncey Billups from the Nuggets for up to eight players and multiple draft picks.

"Man, that would have really gutted our team. So we’re glad that that didn’t happen,'' Johnson said.

The Knicks are 6-6 since making the deal that cost them Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov from their roster.

The Nets are 5-3 with Williams, who missed two games since arriving in a deal with the Jazz for Derrick Favors and Devin Harris.

Nuggets coach George Karl has been vocal recently about how much he likes his team now that Anthony is gone.

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