Deron Williams Is The Jazz' MVP kutv.com February 25, 2007 Boy, how things have changed in just one short year. At this time last year, people were screaming for the head of Kevin O'Connor for "wasting" the third pick in the draft on Deron Williams when he could have picked Chris Paul. Area sports-talk radio hosts, sports writers and basically everyone who considers themselves a knowledgeable sports fan was talking of how the Jazz made the wrong choice. Deron Williams has proven them all wrong. His stats have risen dramatically this year. He has played like an All-Star. He was not chosen and that was a big hit to his ego but he still performs at a high level. Compared to All-Star Tony Parker, he averages about a point and a half less than Parker but averages four more assists per game. That is a significant number. He is the second leading assist man in the NBA with 9.3 assists per game. Deron Williams is the player that makes the Jazz the team that they are. The Jazz were 6-1 when Boozer was out, 2-0 when Memhet Okur has been out, and 0-1 without Williams. The significant fact was the game that Williams was out was a very winnable game. The Jazz beat the Suns, Spurs, and Bulls without Boozer. While the Jazz will need everyone if they want to make a run in the playoffs, they will have no shot without Williams. Williams not only has the confidence of his teammates, but he has the confidence of his hard-to-please coach, Jerry Sloan. When Deron makes a rare mistake, Sloan doesn't even hesitate to leave him in. Last year, he had a short leash when it came to making mistakes, a point that caused some contention between him and Sloan. This year, he has the ability to do what he needs to without fear of being yanked. Now, Williams can be compared to another great point guard that played for the Utah Jazz... but he is no John Stockton. He is Deron Williams. There will not be another John Stockton and there doesn't need to be. Williams is a different player with different skills. He is an All-Star with the skills to lead a team deep into the playoffs. The Jazz may not win it all this year, but if they can keep their nucleus together they will be able to make it all the way to the Finals and possibly win the Championship. My prediction this year: The Jazz lose in seven to the eventual NBA Champions, the Dallas Mavericks, in the second round. http://www.topix.net/content/cbs/1557835315163151617001004041323316746793 --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 220.134.49.169