Do you remember Deron Williams?

[pandiani17]

I was thinking about CP3 being almost 40 and still being in the league, and Deron came to my mind. For the young ones, he was a player whose path crossed with Paul in college (there was a hyped game between their schools, Wake Forest and Illinois) and in his first years in the league. Threads comparing them were usual. However, he was almost washed at 30 years old, and retired long time ago.

Anyway, I find it fascinating how some players can still play until their 40s while others are done almost ten years earlier. And it is not just this era. John Stockton and Karl Malone, for example, were getting into the playoffs in 2001 when they were 39 and 38. On the other hand, Kenny Anderson or Larry Johnson were already calling it a day when they were 31,32.

[ralph_i_el]

He was really good even after he lost a step and was playing for the Nets. Could really do it all with the ball in his hands, and had great size/strength for a point guard. One of the few guards that could shoot the 3 off the dribble and post up.

[RRR3]

I was thinking about CP3 being almost 40 and still being in the league, and Deron came to my mind. For the young ones, he was a player whose path crossed with Paul in college (there was a hyped game between their schools, Wake Forest and Illinois) and in his first years in the league. Threads comparing them were usual. However, he was almost washed at 30 years old, and retired long time ago.

Anyway, I find it fascinating how some players can still play until their 40s while others are done almost ten years earlier. And it is not just this era. John Stockton and Karl Malone, for example, were getting into the playoffs in 2001 when they were 39 and 38. On the other hand, Kenny Anderson or Larry Johnson were already calling it a day when they were 31,32.

Deron's last big year was at 28. He was washed by 29. Pretty crazy.

[Wally450]

Dude was one of the best PGs in the league in the late 2000s.

[1987_Lakers]

CP3 was always considered better, but I remember Deron Williams always outplayed him whenever they went head to head.

Same thing with Dwight Howard & Yao, Yao always had big games vs Dwight.

[Jasper]

deron for the Illinois was an average player. Drafted by Utah , he molded into a powerhouse PG that was hard to contend with. Sometimes he would walk the ball up , and pop a 3 like it was nothing. Coach Sloan and him ran into a confrontation , I blame Sloan for , and Deron left for the Nets.
Bad decision , as well as getting injured and then losing a step.
I always wondered if he had gone to the Suns or Lakers what would of happened.
I believe he was a 1 time All-star and on the Olympic team.

[iamgine]

I was thinking about CP3 being almost 40 and still being in the league, and Deron came to my mind. For the young ones, he was a player whose path crossed with Paul in college (there was a hyped game between their schools, Wake Forest and Illinois) and in his first years in the league. Threads comparing them were usual. However, he was almost washed at 30 years old, and retired long time ago.

Anyway, I find it fascinating how some players can still play until their 40s while others are done almost ten years earlier. And it is not just this era. John Stockton and Karl Malone, for example, were getting into the playoffs in 2001 when they were 39 and 38. On the other hand, Kenny Anderson or Larry Johnson were already calling it a day when they were 31,32.

I think we often don't see players as real people. Real people get tired of their job. Some lost motivation after some time. Some people get injured and determined to get back better or die trying. Some get injured and just give up, not wanting to go through the grueling process. All are normal behavior.

[Xiao Yao You]

deron for the Illinois was an average player. Drafted by Utah , he molded into a powerhouse PG that was hard to contend with. Sometimes he would walk the ball up , and pop a 3 like it was nothing. Coach Sloan and him ran into a confrontation , I blame Sloan for , and Deron left for the Nets.
Bad decision , as well as getting injured and then losing a step.
I always wondered if he had gone to the Suns or Lakers what would of happened.
I believe he was a 1 time All-star and on the Olympic team.

Just another average player getring drafted 3rd in the draft

[tpols]

D-will would've killed it in today's green light 3pt heave format. His between the legs dribble, bounce, and pull up game was electric.

[pandiani17]

Just another average player getring drafted 3rd in the draft

He was not average. He was part of an Illinois team who played "run and gun" style, with Dee Brown, another player who ended up in the Rockets, James Augustine, etc. They had an amazing season and went to the national championship game, losing against Raymond Felton, Rasahd McCants, Marvin Williams and Sean May. Maybe there were questions whether his game would fit into the league, as it was fast paced and involved shooting so many threes.

[Patrick Chewing]

He had a sweet crossover.

[tontoz]

I wasn't paying attention to him when his game was falling off, but he had a body type that could put on weight easily. That could have been a problem playing pg.

[dankok8]

One of the all time underrated PG's. Those Utah teams were quite strong as well but kind of lost to history.

[Im Still Ballin]

Six-year prime of 19.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 9.8 apg on 57% TS (106 TS+). Not bad.

One of the all time underrated PG's. Those Utah teams were quite strong as well but kind of lost to history.

Kind of a Dwight Howard sort of career arc, wouldn't you say? Great individual production and team results. Fantastic prime over 5-6 seasons. Unremarkable outside of it.

[dankok8]

Six-year prime of 19.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 9.8 apg on 57% TS (106 TS+). Not bad.



Kind of a Dwight Howard sort of career arc, wouldn't you say? Great individual production and team results. Fantastic prime over 5-6 seasons. Unremarkable outside of it.

Yea that's a fair assessment.

Deron is probably more similar to Tim Hardaway if we're trying to match styles as well as career arcs.