By John Denton Special to ESPN.com Updated: July 12, 2007, 11:31 AM ET ORLANDO -- For New Jersey Nets reserve point guard Marcus Williams, the act of balancing a potentially frustrating situation and getting the opportunity of a lifetime hasn't always been easy. On the one hand, Williams is stuck in the enormous shadow of Jason Kidd, knowing that what few minutes he does get will come only when the legendary point god rests or is out injured. Williams is polishing his point skills in Orlando. On the other hand, Williams gets to learn at the fingertips of a future Hall of Famer, a situation most young point guards would cherish for the long-term benefits it might provide. It's akin to being Sean Connery's understudy, Peyton Manning's backup at quarterback and No. 2 in the world to Tiger Woods. Sure, there are perks, but there's also plenty of wondering when your day to shine will come. "At first, it was very difficult because all my life I've been used to playing big minutes," said Williams, one of the stars this week in the Pepsi Summer League in Orlando. "But then when I really looked at it, I realized, 'Hey, I'm not just sitting behind anybody. This is Jason Kidd!'" I've tried to take it as a positive. I'm watching him, learning from him, and I know it will help me down the line." A little bit of Kidd seems to have rubbed off on Williams in the summer league. Like Kidd, he has been dominant in practically every phase of the game, leading the Nets' summer league team in scoring (19.3 ppg.) and assists (4.3 apg.) and ranking second in rebounding (6.3 rpg.). Williams played poorly Wednesday, turning the ball over nine times and missing 8-of-11 shots in New Jersey's 90-65 loss to Indiana, but he has let it be known this week that he's capable of taking on a bigger role this season. Kidd had a throwback type of season for the Nets, averaging 13 points, 9.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds a game. But with Kidd already 34, the Nets know Father Time eventually will slow him down, and they want Williams to be ready for a seamless transition. Like Kidd, he is a natural with the ball in his hands and always seems to get it in the right places. The summer league has been more about trying to get to the rim off the dribble for Williams, but his court vision and passing skills are still evident every time he leads a fast break. Nets president Rod Thorn said that even though Kidd is still a fixture of the franchise, this is an important summer for Williams. "Marcus got his feet wet last year playing about 14 minutes a game, and now we want him to make the normal progression," Thorn said. "He's a great talent with super passing skills. "We definitely need him to keep improving so we can rest Jason more. If he can keep improving, that will allow us to play him more. It's something we're counting on." Williams knows that although his chances of displacing Kidd soon are nonexistent, there still is an opportunity to prove there won't be a significant drop-off when he comes into the game. "Playing out here this summer, I'm trying to show them that I can be a leader, make plays and play defense," he said. "I want to give the staff and front office some confidence in me that I can produce like this during the season." http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=orlandosummerleaguesday3 --

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