NEW YORK -- Deron Williams hasn't been the same player since the Utah Jazz traded him to the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 23, 2011.

And the three-time All-Star point guard believes injuries and a different system are the reasons why.

"I was injured the first year (and needed season-ending right wrist surgery)," Williams said Monday, a day before the Nets host the Jazz at Barclays Center. "I've really had injuries while I've been with (the Nets) the whole time. And didn't have the talent around me that I did (with the Jazz).

"And that system (in Utah) was a great system for my style of play. I'm a system player, and I loved Coach (Jerry) Sloan's system. I loved the offense there. We could've been a really good team. We just weren't that good defensively as a group."

Williams, 28, made the playoffs in four of his 5½ seasons with the Jazz. In 2010, NBA general managers voted him the best point guard in the NBA. But his play has tailed off ever since he was dealt.

In 90 mostly injury-plagued games with the Nets, Williams is averaging 19.2 points and 9.2 assists, but shooting just 39.6 percent, 32 percent from 3-point range.

He has not appeared in a playoff game since May 10, 2010. Prior to the start of the season, no GM voted him as the best point guard in the league.

Williams signed a five-year, $98 million contract during the summer to remain with the Nets, and was surrounded with a ton of talent by general manager Billy King. But he is shooting a career-low 38.8 percent from the field and 29.9 percent from 3-point range. According to statistics obtained from basketball-reference.com, he's making just 33.3 percent of his jump shots and shooting 26.7 percent in the fourth quarter.