What a week for Dallas Mavericks point guard Deron Williams. First he’s inducted into the inaugural class of the University of Illinois athletics Hall of Fame. The next day he moves from a team going absolutely nowhere to a leading NBA title contender.
Now that Williams has officially joined the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, here is a collection of what some of the leading NBA pundits and legendary former players have had to say about the deal.
“When you look at a guy like this, he has playoff experience and understands how to play in big moments. Most importantly…to win championships, you have to be extremely smart. He brings a lot of intellectual capital to the game.”
– Isiah Thomas on Deron Williams being an asset to the Cavs
NBA on TNT Analyst Reggie Miller on Deron Williams possibly joining the Cavs:
“I like it. If that in fact is in play, he’s looking to join this Cleveland Cavaliers team, I think he’d fit in perfectly… A big guard that you can switch defensively, can post up smaller guards and has playoff experience, as well.”
D. Will will now back up flat-Earther Kyrie Irving at the one. The closest Deron Williams has ever come to winning a NBA title came in 2007 with the Utah Jazz. That team reached the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
In reference to that UI Hall of Fame induction, here below is what his write-up for the honor reads, via the university:
Deron Williams, Basketball (2003-05)
Deron Williams is the most internationally decorated Fighting Illini basketball player in school history. He helped lead the U.S. Olympic team to gold medals at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games. Williams earned consensus 2005 Second-Team All-American honors after helping lead the Illini to the national championship game and school-record 37 victories. He was a two-time All-Big Ten first-team selection before entering the NBA Draft after his junior season and becoming the third overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, highest ever by an Illini player.
Deron Williams is a three-time NBA All-Star and named All-NBA Second Team twice. Williams was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team and is playing in his 12th year in the NBA.
“He knows this is his best opportunity to get a ring.”
– Greg Anthony on veteran point guard Deron Williams officially joining the Cleveland Cavaliers
Go here for a video of Dennis Scott interviewing D. Will following his move to Cleveland becoming official.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and Bold, contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication, CGTN America, WGN CLTV News and KOZN.
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