Deron Williams

I am a big Deron Williams fan. I am one of the few who, at the time, believed Utah made the correct decision for its team when it drafted Williams over Chris Paul. Paul is a more exciting, better 1v1 player, but I love Williams consistency, size, toughness and smarts. You can argue either one, and be equally correct, but I really like Williams.

And, the play-offs are a great illustration. Unfortunately, I am watching a different play-offs than most. Everyone, it seems, believes Williams is a Baron Davis-like player because neither is the typical cut NBA player and they have similar size. I just don't see it. Williams is athletic, but Davis' explosiveness is in the top 2% of the NBA (ask AK47). And, Williams is already a better shooter and decision-maker (Davis spent years settling for the three-point shot while shooting around 30%).

The other popular comparison is Jason Kidd, again, because of size. However, I see different players. Williams is a better shooter, while Kidd is much faster with the basketball and uses his body around the basket much better. Kidd, we forget, is a great back to the basket player, a little like Mark Jackson (the former Knick PG and current ABC analyst, not the current Hornet).

While nobody wants to say it, I see Deron Williams as possibly the next Steve Nash. He has the same shot off the dribble when using the high or side pick and he manages to find the open man. He's a pass-first PG who scores, unlike Davis who has traditionally been more Marbury than Nash. Williams obviously has more to learn before being put in a category with Kidd or Nash (or even Davis with as well as he has played in the play-offs).

However, if Sloan allows Williams Stockton-like freedom, he could be the "Next Nash" the way we have been searching, unsuccessfully, for the "Next MJ" for a dozen years. He'll never be an exact replica, and their bodies are obviously different, but in terms of shooting, decision-making, passing, etc., I see as much Nash in Williams game as I do Davis or Kidd. Namely, I see a player who could be a 90-50-40 shooter (FT, FG, 3pt) and average double-digit assists with minimal turnovers while controlling the entire game from the PG position.