Deron “Crosses” Off the Competition

Posted by Tim Gittins on February 24, 2009

Ever since draft day in 2005, comparisons have been drawn between Hornets point guard Chris Paul and Utah’s Deron Williams. While a lot of good arguments can be made in the debate over who is the better point guard, the bottom line is usually obscured by a bunch of statistical analysis and speculative questions such as “What if the Jazz had taken Paul and the Hornets had taken Williams.”

In a way the Williams or Paul debate is a little narrow because a few other point guards could be considered in the “who’s best” argument as well. When the field of candidates is expanded people tend to get caught up in discussion about “true” point guards, scoring point guards, they system they play in, and the talent on their team.

To simplify the analysis and get to the bottom of who is the best point guard in the NBA, we will look at one factor that has the rest of the league looking up at Deron Williams, literally.

For those fans who watched Deron in the Dallas game on February 5th you had to be impressed when he busted out a move of basketball wizardry that caused Jason Terry to become tangled in his own feet and fall flat on his backside. This move, known as The Crossover, is an area where no current player can match Deron in ability.

While Deron may be the best at The Crossover, he is not the first to use it. In the 1990’s Tim Hardaway performed it so well that he came to be know for his Killer Crossover. While the move has never actually killed anyone, Deron has refined it to the point that opposing players may want to increase their life insurance policies just in case.

So far in his relatively short career the Jazz point guard has left a number of his opponents sitting on the floor wondering which way was up. Among his list of victims are Chauncey Billups, Kirk Hinrich, Jason Terry, Jose Calderon, and Tony Parker. Deron has even used the move to leave the venerated Chris Paul in the dust a few times, although Paul was able to stay on his feet. The fact that Paul did not end up on the floor is proof that he is a great point guard, just not the best.

On the night of February 11th Deron squared off against Kobe Bryant on two straight possessions. On the first one he just blew past Kobe for the easy bucket. On the second one Deron crossed him up and dropped a jumper on the back pedalling Lakers star. Not only did this showcase Deron’s basketball finesse, but it also showed the world that Kobe cannot guard him. Coincidentally, Kobe was assigned to guard someone else for the rest of the game.

A quick internet search will allow anyone to witness first hand how Deron has demoralized those who have attempted to defend his crossover. With an ever growing list of victims, it has become clear that Deron Williams is the point guard that the rest look up to.

10 Comments

Boondock Saint on February 24, 2009 said:

D-Will freaking rocks. End of discussion.

canadajazz on February 24, 2009 said:

Another notable victim of Deron’s moves was TJ Ford, when he played for the Raptors. Williams embarrassed Ford severely here in Toronto. When the Jazz and Raptors met later in Salt Lake, Williams again did a number on Ford, causing him to throw a tantrum and be tossed out of the game.
I think that game was the beginning of the end for TJ Ford and the Raptors.

Annie Whittaker on February 24, 2009 said:

Whenever you mention Hardaway and the Killer Crossover, you have to say “I got skills.” While I am not that old, it scares me to admit that many of the people reading this blog don’t remember why you have to say that. Is there anyone else out there who remembers?

Oh and Deron’s got SKILLS!

Levi on February 24, 2009 said:

I think I’m gonna find the video of Deron schoolin Kobe and post it on a Lakers blog. The best part about that play was that Kobe just put out his ankle insurance commercials to sell shoes. I think Deron broke his ankles that night. lol

Jake on February 25, 2009 said:

When you use the killer crossover, you have to do something with your eyes to trick your opponent, right?

Linda McFarland on February 25, 2009 said:

Levi…The last thing you want to do is make Kobe look bad. That is when he plays his best. (It becomes personal to him)

J R Stewart on February 25, 2009 said:

How about the home game, where Fish was back for the first time, and DWill abused him and “broke his ankles” one time before Coach Pill sat Fish down for the rest of the game. The Jazz scored 70 points in the first half, without Booze or Memo.

Jazzaholic

justonechampionship on February 27, 2009 said:

Think back during the 2006-2007 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, Jaque Vaugn needed help off the floor

bloccishot3 on March 02, 2009 said:

How bout the double crossover last night against GS?!!!! Dang, right there is what I call a real point guard, as he goes up to the hoop he’s pratically got the whole team going after them but instead of taking it all the way, like i know he can. He instead passes it to the open team mate okur for the two. I dont know bout you guys but thats what i call real ball.Take it to the streets D-Will

eddy on May 27, 2009 said:

Kobe’s bookie:” odds are at 5-1 for the Lakers”

Kobe: “no s$*!” … ” put $50,000.00 on the jazz”

Result: Kobe goes 5 for 23 and the Lakers lose

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