New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams Drops Record 57 as Nets Survive Bobcats

While the Charlotte Bobcats may have one of, if not the worst defense in the NBA, individual scoring efforts, no matter who the opponent, are milestones not to be overlooked.

Sunday night, it would be Deron Williams who climbed atop the New Jersey Nets leader boards, setting the franchise record for most points in a game, as well as a new career-high, with 57, leading his team to a 104-101 win over the lowly Bobcats.

Williams passed N.J. Nets greats Mike Newlin (52), Ray Williams (52) and Vince Carter (51) on his way to the top of the charts.

D-Will was nearly unconscious from the field, shooting a lights-out 16-of-29 from the field and a perfect 21-of-21 from the free-throw line; a near record for most made free throws in a game without a miss behind Dirk Nowitzki's 24-of-24 from the line in last season's playoffs.  

Williams scored 40 of his 57 in the second half, including 18 fourth-quarter points to help his Nets pull away from the Bobcats down the stretch.

The closest scorers to D-Will for the Nets was Kris Humphries, who finished with 11 points and 13 boards and Shelden Williams with 10 points.

D.J. Augustin led all Bobcats scorers with 24 points (4-of-12 FG, 15-of-16 FT) and seven rebounds. Gerald Henderson put in 15 and Kemba Walker scored 14 points off the bench, but Williams' 57, two less than Augustin, Henderson and Walker combined, was too much for Charlotte to contend with.

The Nets are now sitting on a 12-26 record, but Williams' outburst, many hope, could be enough to lure Dwight Howard to Brooklyn for years to come.

At 4-31, this season is a wash for the Charlotte Bobcats, and if they don't make some significant upgrades via trade, draft or free agency, it could stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Kristian Winfield is a Featured Columnist for the Portland Trail Blazers on the Bleacher Report.