OFFICIAL: Deron Williams to Dallas!!

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by hayth.james.g

In other thoughts, any worry on chemistry between Deron Williams and Carlisle? I just remember how much Utah was in disarray because of his relationship with Sloan. We all know how tough Carlisle can be on the PGs.

@espn_macmahon: Rick Carlisle on Deron Williams: "I'm a long-time fan. When this situation popped up, it was almost like it was too good to be true."

[conjurer]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@espn_macmahon: Rick Carlisle on Deron Williams: "I'm a long-time fan. When this situation popped up, it was almost like it was too good to be true."

Let's first see if he's still around next year, Rick.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Underdog

@espn_macmahon: Rick Carlisle on Deron Williams: "I'm a long-time fan. When this situation popped up, it was almost like we are now the most non-athletic starting five in the league"

Fixed.

[LSMF]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Fixed.

Those guys aren't athletic but all five of those guys in that starting lineup are fundamentally sound. They're going to give opposing teams fits with ball movement, shooting, and high IQ basketball plays. I'm pretty optimistic, I just hope everyone can get and stay healthy.

[hayth.james.g]

Originally Posted by LSMF

Those guys aren't athletic but all five of those guys in that starting lineup are fundamentally sound. They're going to give opposing teams fits with ball movement, shooting, and high IQ basketball plays. I'm pretty optimistic, I just hope everyone can get and stay healthy.

If we can get someone to help clear the boards I agree. This will be Parsons year to show if he can be an 18+PPg, efficient scorer. This team is HIGHLY susceptible to health issues, but with some luck I like our chances. Either way, we got some reasons to root and cheer for our Mavs as Dirk rides out his final years.

[Melonhead]

If only we had a rebounding center to go with deron. FU jordan for wasting the FO time

[Underdog]

‏@DLord_DBdotcom: Contract info on Deron WIlliams #Mavs - as signed, a 1 yr deal for $5.4M in 2015-16, plus player opt to add another year at $5.6M

[Joe Blow]

I'm here, not because of the Mavs, per se, but because I'm a long-time Williams fan. It will be interesting to see how he performs this year, at home. He was a leader and had a lot of "fire" in Utah and, despite their occasional clashes, had a lot of respect for Sloan. Overall, he played quite well in Brooklyn, just not up to the huge expectations which his signing generated.

I don't think he is "through" by any means, but he definitely needed a change of scenery. Once I get familiar with the Mavs, I'm sure I will learn to love them all. But, to be honest, for now I'm mainly interested in seeing if Deron can have a "comeback" year.

The talent is still there but his motivation has seemed to be lacking and his injuries have slowed him down. Although he was always much quicker than he appeared to be capable of in his younger days, he always relied heavily on fakes and deception. He is capable of playing an excellent "old man's game," I figure. We'll see, I guess.

[Joe Blow]

Williams did this against the Mavs, as y'all may recall. Not trying to stir up resentments, but it's better to have a player performing at that caliber with you, rather than against you, eh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVNFf_UY5vk

Not sure how to incorporate a link into a word, or I would have embedded the link into the word "this."

Can someone educate me on these formatting matters?

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by Joe Blow

Not sure how to incorporate a link into a word, or I would have embedded the link into the word "this."

Can someone educate me on these formatting matters?

Easiest way IMO is to type the word which you would like to attach the link to then highlight it and click the chain link + globe icon("insert link") and then type/paste the link in the pop up window.

It would look something like this-

[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVNFf_UY5vk"]This[/URL*]

Simply delete the asterisk I have added to the end above and it would work.

The other way I know of is to click the insert link button first and type/paste the link in and then after you will need to delete the text following the "]" brace and bfore the "[/URL" brace. either way what I typed above minus the asterisk is what you would see when making the post.

Cheers, and here is to Deron having an offense that is more catered to his strengths and less pressure, here in Dallas, than being "the guy" in Brooklyn.

[Joe Blow]

I'm trying it out now with a link to another relatively recent game with Brooklyn. Here Williams is playing the gunner a role which he does not generally prefer.

I've tried in multiple times, but still can't seem to end up with a workable link, for some reason.

[Bryan_Wilson]

[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INGR4pW-lWY"]Gunner[/URL*]

Edit your post with this(delete the asterisk) if you still can't get it to work on your own, you somehow got some added protocols in your direct link when pasting it into the box, or when you made a few edits a mistake was made.

I think maybe you tried to do both steps? I find it easiest to type "Gunner" highlight it then click the link button then in the box that pops up paste the link " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INGR4pW-lWY "

[DGM]

Originally Posted by Joe Blow

I'm here, not because of the Mavs, per se, but because I'm a long-time Williams fan. It will be interesting to see how he performs this year, at home. He was a leader and had a lot of "fire" in Utah and, despite their occasional clashes, had a lot of respect for Sloan. Overall, he played quite well in Brooklyn, just not up to the huge expectations which his signing generated.

I don't think he is "through" by any means, but he definitely needed a change of scenery. Once I get familiar with the Mavs, I'm sure I will learn to love them all. But, to be honest, for now I'm mainly interested in seeing if Deron can have a "comeback" year.

The talent is still there but his motivation has seemed to be lacking and his injuries have slowed him down. Although he was always much quicker than he appeared to be capable of in his younger days, he always relied heavily on fakes and deception. He is capable of playing an excellent "old man's game," I figure. We'll see, I guess.

I am also optimistic about Williams. This is still Dirk's team. All Williams has to do is drive the bus on the court. No one is asking him to lead off the court. He can just play basketball. Regardless of how much money you make Dallas life style is a lot less hectic and stressful than NYC. That should alos make a difference. I have I hopes for DWill.

[dirt_dobber]

I have Deron ranked as the 7th best point guard in the Western Conf.

1. Chris Paul, Clipers
2. Stephen Curry, GoldSt.
3. Russell Westbrook, OKC
4. Mike Conley, Mem.
5. Damian Lillard, Trailblzrs.
6. Tony Parker, Spurs
7. Deron Williams, Mavs
8. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
9. Patrick Beverley, Rockets
10. Ricky Rubio, Twolves
11. Jrue Holiday, Pelicans
12. Eric, Bledsoe, Suns
13. Trey Burke, Jazz
14. D'Angelo Russell, Lakers
15. Rajon Rondo, Kings

[howdoesmydirktaste]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

I have Deron ranked as the 7th best point guard in the Western Conf.

1. Chris Paul, Clipers
2. Stephen Curry, GoldSt.
3. Russell Westbrook, OKC
4. Mike Conley, Mem.
5. Damian Lillard, Trailblzrs.
6. Tony Parker, Spurs
7. Deron Williams, Mavs
8. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
9. Patrick Beverley, Rockets
10. Ricky Rubio, Twolves
11. Jrue Holiday, Pelicans
12. Eric, Bledsoe, Suns
13. Trey Burke, Jazz
14. D'Angelo Russell, Lakers
15. Rajon Rondo, Kings

And we're gunning for the 7th or 8th seed, so that's about right.

[Wang Zhi Zhi]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

I have Deron ranked as the 7th best point guard in the Western Conf.

1. Chris Paul, Clipers
2. Stephen Curry, GoldSt.
3. Russell Westbrook, OKC
4. Mike Conley, Mem.
5. Damian Lillard, Trailblzrs.
6. Tony Parker, Spurs
7. Deron Williams, Mavs
8. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
9. Patrick Beverley, Rockets
10. Ricky Rubio, Twolves
11. Jrue Holiday, Pelicans
12. Eric, Bledsoe, Suns
13. Trey Burke, Jazz
14. D'Angelo Russell, Lakers
15. Rajon Rondo, Kings

Good list. And a great deal considering the following:
Paul - $20MM
Curry - $10MM (but soon to be $25MM+)
Westbrook - $16MM
Lillard - $25MM
Parker - $13MM
Conley - $10MM (and soon to be ~$20MM+)
D-Will - $5.6MM

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

I have Deron ranked as the 7th best point guard in the Western Conf.

1. Chris Paul, Clipers
2. Stephen Curry, GoldSt.
3. Russell Westbrook, OKC
4. Mike Conley, Mem.
5. Damian Lillard, Trailblzrs.
6. Tony Parker, Spurs
7. Deron Williams, Mavs
8. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
9. Patrick Beverley, Rockets
10. Ricky Rubio, Twolves
11. Jrue Holiday, Pelicans
12. Eric, Bledsoe, Suns
13. Trey Burke, Jazz
14. D'Angelo Russell, Lakers
15. Rajon Rondo, Kings

I would put Bledsoe much higher. Right around where Deron Williams is. Rest of list is about right.

[Joe Blow]

Bill Self (now with Kansas) was the head coach at Illinois and, as I recall, recruited Deron and coached him for one year. Then Self bolted for Kansas and Illinois hired a successful coach from a smaller school (SIU), Bruce Webber, to replace him.

Webber wanted to install a motion offense and it confused most of the Illinois players, who were accustomed to Self's High-Low offense. Deron was the first to buy in and convinced his other teammates to apply themselves to mastering the new offense. That was Deron's sophomore season and they ended up losing to Duke in the sweet sixteen that year.

The next year, the team started out 29-0 and was ranked #1 all year long after beating Wake Forest. Early in the season Chris Paul's team (Wake Forest) came to Illinois ranked #1 and got thoroughly stomped (down by 30 points before losing by 19 or so). Illinois lost it's final regular-season game to a mediocre Ohio State team on a last second shot by a scrub, but then blew through the Big Ten and NCAA touraments, finally losing to North Carolina in the final when they had a chance to tie with less than a minute left.

That very year, NC sent 4 players to the NBA, all of whom were chosen as lottery picks, so they were a formidable opponent. Illinois ended up 37-2 (an NCAA record for wins at that point) and Deron skipped his senior year, to be drafted by Utah.

The point? Jerry Sloan ran a motion (flex) offense that suited Deron perfectly. Deron was very disillusioned with Avery Johnson's "iso" offense in his first year, and Brooklyn had a different coach, and radically different rosters, every year he was there. There was simply no continuity and no highly structured offense while he was there.

Various nagging injuries to his wrist and ankles also slowed him down, but even apart from them, he just never seem to feel comfortable and "at home" in Brooklyn, and that was at least one major reason for his "decline." Even so, he put up some very impressive numbers in Brooklyn and made the all-star team once while there.

From what I know, Deron should be much happier with Carlisle and his offense. He is friends with Dirk; they have played together on all-star teams. He and Wes Mathews had great chemistry at Utah and played very well together. As you all know, Dallas is "home" for Deron. All said and done, he should be much more comfortable in Dallas, I figure.

As some of the posted videos show, the talent is still there. Some of the athleticism is gone, but maybe not permanently. He never really based his game on athleticism to begin with anyway, so it's not as important to him as it is to others who succeed primarily on the basis of athleticism alone.

Deron is a sensitive soul in some respects, but you don't become a two-time state wrestling champ in a big-ass state like Texas without also having a considerable reservoir of toughness. Haters gunna hate, but there is no reason to bash Williams and predict disaster with him at this point. I think he will deliver much more than most seem to expect.

[Melonhead]

I hope he sticks around for the rest of his career in Dallas. Solid smart vet, we just need a few pieces around the core of Deron, Wes, Parsons, and Dirk(for a couple more years)

[GermanStandard]

Seeing the Deal the Rockets got (13M for Lawson and 2nd year not even guaranteed) while not giving up a single rotation player or Toppick we should have made that deal when we had a chance.

We could have even signed Deron aswell with his 5M per year contract while giving away Feltons Contract...That paired with DeAndre or atleast Tyson and we would be contending.

Now we are probably a 10th seed in the West.

[Twenty4sevenn]

Originally Posted by GermanStandard

Seeing the Deal the Rockets got (13M for Lawson and 2nd year not even guaranteed) while not giving up a single rotation player or Toppick we should have made that deal when we had a chance.

We could have even signed Deron aswell with his 5M per year contract while giving away Feltons Contract...That paired with DeAndre or atleast Tyson and we would be contending.

Now we are probably a 10th seed in the West.

If we get the good version of Deron Williams (which I think is a real possibility under Carlisle), he's better than Lawson. And for $8 million less.

The only thing to be upset about here is that Houston got Lawson. Not that we didn't.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by GermanStandard

Seeing the Deal the Rockets got (13M for Lawson and 2nd year not even guaranteed) while not giving up a single rotation player or Toppick we should have made that deal when we had a chance.

We could have even signed Deron aswell with his 5M per year contract while giving away Feltons Contract...That paired with DeAndre or atleast Tyson and we would be contending.

Now we are probably a 10th seed in the West.

How the hell does Houston getting Ty Lawson suddenly make us "10th seed in the West" when the Rockets were already the #2 seed? It's not like he went to New Orleans or Phoenix.

[Bryan_Wilson]

So the Mavs are in the mess they are in because they traded draft picks for vets and treated the draft poorly in general by most people around here's assumption. So then the solution to getting us out of the problem is to trade a first for Ty Lawson?

[GermanStandard]

Originally Posted by Underdog

How the hell does Houston getting Ty Lawson suddenly make us "10th seed in the West" when the Rockets were already the #2 seed? It's not like he went to New Orleans or Phoenix.

1. Warriors
2. Clippers
3. Spurs
4. Houston
5. OKC
6. Grizzlies
7. Suns
8. Pelicans

Mavs and Jazz probably battle out the 9th and 10th spot.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by GermanStandard

1. Warriors
2. Clippers
3. Spurs
4. Houston
5. OKC
6. Grizzlies
7. Suns
8. Pelicans

Mavs and Jazz probably battle out the 9th and 10th spot.

What the hell does anything in this post have to do with Ty Lawson??

And you're ranking our team when we don't even have a starting center yet? Yeah, a half-baked cake tastes like shit -- maybe you should wait until it's done cooking before you try a bite.

[sefant77]

Lets wait to see how many games Tyson plays for the suns next season....wouldnt be surprised if he misses at least 20

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Lets wait to see how many games Tyson plays for the suns next season....wouldnt be surprised if he misses at least 20

Why do you say that? I know historically he has been somewhat injury prone, but PHX has one of if not the best training staff in the league.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by Underdog

What the hell does anything in this post have to do with Ty Lawson??

And you're ranking our team when we don't even have a starting center yet? Yeah, a half-baked cake tastes like shit -- maybe you should wait until it's done cooking before you try a bite.

You don't think the Mavs have their starting center?

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

You don't think the Mavs have their starting center?

We're talking about a guy who played 23.7 MPG last season and averaged over 30 MPG only once in his 12-year career (back in 05-06)... So, no, I don't think the Mavs have their starting center.

But they do have one of the better backup centers in the league.

[bunkmoreland]

oops. wrong thread

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by Underdog

We're talking about a guy who played 23.7 MPG last season and averaged over 30 MPG only once in his 12-year career (back in 05-06)... So, no, I don't think the Mavs have their starting center.

But they do have one of the better backup centers in the league.

Well, 23.7 MPG is half the game virtually. If he averages that, he's probably the starting center on this Mavs team.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Well, 23.7 MPG is half the game virtually. If he averages that, he's probably the starting center on this Mavs team.

Did I mention that last year was an "up" year for him? Zaza has averaged 21.0 MPG for his career, with 6 of his 12 seasons clocking under 20 MPG... The guy is a career backup.

[Joe Blow]

Deron Williams Played A Perfect Game, And Few Even Noticed

"Once on the cusp of household-name superstardom, once considered to have a career on the same trajectory as Chris Paul’s, you probably no longer think of such nice things when you think of Deron Williams. Now on his sixth coach since just the winter of 2011 (Jerry Sloan, Tyrone Corbin, Avery Johnson, P.J. Carlesimo, Jason Kidd, and now Lionel Hollins), Williams has taken on the hard-to-shake reputation as a locker room malcontent, destroying team chemistry and refusing to follow orders....

When I watch Williams, it almost seems impossible that he would ever be the type of player to cause locker room strife. There is no direct correlation between on-court unselfishness and off-court behaviour, of course, yet Deron is playing with an unselfishness that makes any connection hard to fathom. Williams makes the game look easy; he plays with total court awareness, and he is always looking to get the ball in the hands of the open man. Sometimes he is that open man, and he does not hesitate to take those in-flow shots....

My favorite play made by Williams the entire night is one that will not appear in the stat sheet. Actually, Williams never even touched the ball. Williams finds himself underneath the basket, guarded only by the much-smaller Sebastian Telfair. Williams therefore has every right to ask for the ball from Garnett in the high post, and, a split-second before this moment, Garnett was looking Williams’s way. Instead, though, Williams directs Garnett’s attention to the opposite elbow, where Joe Johnson has come open off of a Lopez screen. Recognizing the importance of getting primary scorer Johnson the requisite number of shots, Williams helps to create an assist without even touching the ball...

Deron’s totals on the evening were 17 points on eight shots, alongside only two turnovers (one of which was a questionable offensive foul call) and nine assists (which would have easily been in the double-digits if Garnett knocked down all of the open jump shots that Williams created for him). That is about as close to perfect as it gets. And this is not a one off. This is how Williams plays. We all used to believe it, yet at some point, his story arc lost its way. But do not buy into the narrative of his selfishness on the court. It just is not there."

http://bballbreakdown.com/2014/11/04...ng-with-deron/

I don't buy into the narrative either. Deron has always, especially in Brooklyn, repeatedly stated that he "just wanted to be a point guard." His coaches wanted him to be a primary scorer, often playing him at the 2 spot. He can do both. I think he is the only player besides Wilt Chamberlain to have league highs in both points (57) and assists (20) for a given year. But his preference is to be a play-maker. Carlise will, I think, give him that chance. Williams excels at pick and roll play, and Carlise loves to employ the good old P and R. This could be a very good fit.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Joe Blow

I don't buy into the narrative either. Deron has always, especially in Brooklyn, repeatedly stated that he "just wanted to be a point guard." His coaches wanted him to be a primary scorer, often playing him at the 2 spot. He can do both. I think he is the only player besides Wilt Chamberlain to have league highs in both points (57) and assists (20) for a given year. But his preference is to be a play-maker. Carlise will, I think, give him that chance. Williams excels at pick and roll play, and Carlise loves to employ the good old P and R. This could be a very good fit.

Carlisle could use Williams the same way he used Kidd -- distribute the ball, hit the three, get back on defense... But D-Will is a far more dynamic scorer than Kidd was during his second stint in Dallas, so it would be a shame to limit him in any way. There's a good chance he's the 2nd-highest scorer on the team this season.

It'll also be interesting to see how much control Rick gives Deron over the offense as a whole. With Kidd, RC let him dictate our flow offense -- will he trust a heady guy like Williams to do the same, or will he micromanage from the sideline like he has with Collison, Calderon and Rondo over the last few years?

[Joe Blow]

Originally Posted by Underdog

. It'll also be interesting to see how much control Rick gives Deron over the offense as a whole. With Kidd, RC let him dictate our flow offense -- will he trust a heady guy like Williams to do the same, or will he micromanage from the sideline like he has with Collison, Calderon and Rondo over the last few years?

This might help answer that question. Then again, it might not:

“I’m a longtime fan.” Carlisle told ESPN.com. “When this situation popped up, it was almost like it was too good to be true. He’s a tremendous player, and he’s coming home.”

[Vinsanity]

I uploaded this Deron Williams mix on youtube welcoming him to the Mavs and I thought I'd share it on here for you guys. Give me some feedback and leave a like if you enjoyed. Also try to share this video with fellow Mavs fans. I'll probably be making more mixes soon. Maybe a Chandler Parsons 2015 highlight mix.

Thanks guys, enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ZUk3IvCPI

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

I uploaded this Deron Williams mix on youtube welcoming him to the Mavs and I thought I'd share it on here for you guys. Give me some feedback and leave a like if you enjoyed. Also try to share this video with fellow Mavs fans. I'll probably be making more mixes soon. Maybe a Chandler Parsons 2015 highlight mix.

Thanks guys, enjoy.
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ZUk3IvCPI

Link doesn't work -- you have "http://" in there twice.

[Joe Blow]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

I uploaded this Deron Williams mix on youtube welcoming him to the Mavs and I thought I'd share it on here for you guys.
Thanks guys, enjoy.

Thanks, Vinnie, I did indeed enjoy that. Of course I'm a self-declared Williams homer, so what else would you expect?

[Joe Blow]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

I uploaded this Deron Williams mix on youtube welcoming him to the Mavs and I thought I'd share it on here for you guys..

The part you included where he set an all-time NBA record with 9 threes in half was an amazing game to watch live.

Around the same time he set a career-high with 57 points in a game. Co-incidentally, Reggie Miller also had a career-high of 57 with a strikingly similar statline:

Miller: 16-29 4-11 21-23 5(reb) 8(asst) 1(steals) 57 pts
Dwill: 16-29 4-11 21-21 6(reb) 7(asst) 1(steals) 57 pts

Miller shot (and missed) 2 more free throws, had one more assist and one fewer rebound. Otherwise, their stats were identical.

Deron was channeling the Hall-of-Famer that night, for sure.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by Joe Blow

The part you included where he set an all-time NBA record with 9 threes in half was an amazing game to watch live.

Around the same time he set a career-high with 57 points in a game. Co-incidentally, Reggie Miller also had a career-high of 57 with a strikingly similar statline:

Miller: 16-29 4-11 21-23 5(reb) 8(asst) 1(steals) 57 pts
Dwill: 16-29 4-11 21-21 6(reb) 7(asst) 1(steals) 57 pts

Miller shot (and missed) 2 more free throws, had one more assist and one fewer rebound. Otherwise, their stats were identical.

Deron was channeling the Hall-of-Famer that night, for sure.

Utah dwill>any version of reggie