No Guts, No Glory

Posted by Brian McCann on February 14, 2009

Deron Williams believes in something. Maybe it’s the fact that for the third year in a row, the NBA’s coaches have decided to go with somebody else in the backcourt during their annual All-Star carnival. Maybe it has to do with the injury and its subsequent slow recovery-a recovery that has had many around the league questioning just how good he really is. Whatever it is, at a time when his teammates seemed to want this disaster of a season just to end, and when the ball seemed to bounce every way but in their favor, Deron Williams has decided enough is enough.

Most of you know the story as of late. Williams has been on a rampage again-something that all of us Utah folk have come pretty accustom to over the last few years after the All-Star selections are made. The chip is back, the look in his eyes is back, and our playoff hopes are back. It’s not just the game against the Lakers; that was just a bigger stage. Williams has now thrown down 5 straight 30+ point games. His averages have risen significantly over the last ten games. He is currently averaging 19.2 ppg and 10.0 apg. His assists are down slightly from last year, but are on the rise. His scoring is up and is also rising. His PER has risen to 20.85, up from 19.75 only a couple of weeks ago, and 20.75 last season. In short, statistically, he has turned it up a notch. Yet all of us that have watched him lately can attest to the fact that it is not his stats that have driven the Jazz to victory in four of their last five outings; rather, it’s been his leadership.

During the only loss in the last five games, the Golden State debacle last Sunday, Deron showed real leadership in the face of an embarrassing blow out. He kept his head, and tried to get everyone else not to panic. He was talking to his teammates. There is one timeout in particular that stands out to me. CJ blew a defensive assignment, and looked like he was pretty frustrated. Jerry called a timeout, and immediately Deron walked up to Miles, and began talking to him about the situation. He wasn’t yelling at him like some players have been known to do (Kobe anyone?), he just appeared to be explaining to him where he needs to be. I think everyone will agree that this has been Deron’s team for the last few seasons (I would say since the WCF in ’06-he was the only one on the team besides Fish that didn’t look scared at the time), but there has been something the 24 year old (I love saying that-dude’s only 24!!) has lacked at times-the ability to step forward and emotionally lead his team; to rally them behind him and will their way to victory. That has changed as of late. He seems to understand his role better as the leader and captain of the team, and his teammates are responding.

Karl and John didn’t have the most talented teams in their heydays. Sure they had Jeff, but all around, their most talented teams were not as talented as this team (see the careers of Bryon Russell, Howard Eisley, Shandon Anderson, Et cetera… after they left Utah). What they did have however was an ability to rally their teammates around them and their cause. They would not accept anything less than their best. They somehow got them to buy into the vision that they had for the team. Deron is young and has a lot of years left in this league, but he seems to have already begun to figure out that if his team is going to be successful, he needs to demand and expect the same things from his teammates.

The Lakers game on Tuesday was awesome. I wont hammer home the details since that has already been done by my piers, but what I will say is that for the first time this season, I see a bright light at the end of the tunnel for this team. After the All-Star break, the Jazz will finally be healthy. So much has happened this season that has been outside of their control. I think everyone has grown, and better understands their roles on the floor, especially their captain. The rest of the league better hold on tight because I really think we are about to see what this team can really do. Watch out Portland and Denver, we’re coming for you.

4 Comments

tyler on February 14, 2009 said:

Amen, I agree 100% with you.

Andrew B on February 14, 2009 said:

really i think its because he plays in utah…. not enough jerseys sold..

Shauna on February 20, 2009 said:

Well said! And the same thing happened in the win over Boston last night. There is something about this kid and if he can keep his own cool and not put too much pressure on himself, he is really going to be something to watch in the coming years.

gapgurl on February 20, 2009 said:

Utah loves D Will! Go Jazz!!!

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