Deron Williams the Euro
When I saw the story about Deron Williams considering playing in Europe in case of a lockout, it brought back memories.
He was always hard to read when he played in Utah. He would make vague references, but seldom come right out and say it. For instance, the times he would say he was happy to stay in Utah — as long as the team surrounded him with the caliber of players that could get him a championship. And the times he said he didn’t always agree with Jerry Sloan, but didn’t specify the area of disagreement. And the time he said some players were booking vacation trips while the playoffs were still going on, but didn’t mention which teammates. And the time he said some players didn’t know the plays, then later modified that to say they were going to the wrong spots. And he didn’t name the players.
He drops hints but seldom shows all the cards.
Now he’s taking about Europe. Maybe. It’s an option. He’s thinking about it. But he hasn’t looked at any specific offers. Read into that whatever you want.
That’s the hard part with having Williams on your team: You never really know what he’s thinking. That’s why the Jazz traded him, despite his All-Star status. They had no real sense that he would return to the Jazz when he became a free agent. In fact, they sensed he wouldn’t, no matter who the Jazz brought in.
Williams could be thinking seriously about leaving the Nets in the summer of 2012, too. Or he could be just fine where he is. He loves the new arena the team is building…at least he says he does.
He’s a moody, restless, unreadable star.
But I’ll give him this: The one thing he is clear on is that he plays hard and he will play hurt, if necessary. There’s no real ambiguity about that. As for what his next move will be and whether he’s happy, that’s New Jersey’s problem now.