Brian34Cook

Williams feeling confident heading into Jazz rookie camp
By Tim Buckley
Deseret Morning News
July 9, 2006

When he was named to the NBA's All-Rookie team back in May, confidence could be heard oozing from Deron Williams' voice.

Jazz's Deron Williams says he has experienced tentativeness in his first season with a team before and expects to play better. "I'd like," he said then, "to be an All-Star in the next couple years."

As the point guard prepares to embark on his second pro season out of the University of Illinois — Jazz training camp opens Monday morning for the Rocky Mountain Revue, the six-team summer league for NBA rookies, youngsters and free agents that gets under way Friday at Salt Lake Community College — the franchise that drafted Williams No. 3 overall in the 2005 NBA Draft seems to sense that's precisely the course on which he is headed.

It's why the keys are in his hands, the driver's-side door is open and the Jazz seem ready to have Williams take them for a spin.

"I think he's going to make a big leap," basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor said after Williams' first NBA season came to a close. "A quantum leap — defensively, and offensively, and being able to see on the floor."

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640193454,00.html

I dont agree with Jerry about playing him at the 2 last year but I'm sure it did help in the long run

endora60

I didn't like Deron at the 2 last year either, and I still don't think it was such a hot idea. Sure, a guard's supposed to be a guard, but point guards are special, and wasting/confusing one by having him be a shooting guard makes zero sense to me. Let him concentrate on what he is and is supposed to do.

Either way, he's going to be a finer 1 than he was last year; the nerves seem to have faded. He comes off more confident and happy than he did before, and (along with hard work) those can't help but be good for the Jazz.

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Co-Co!

AK-47

I think sloan playing deron at the 2 helped him. It allows him to be able to see both sides of the operations to know what to expect even more from the 2 man. it will definately help him in the long run, and the jazz needed help at the 2 last year and didn't have choice really.

rich00384

I think the biggest jump for Deron is going to be that he will become a more consistant player. Last year we didn't know if he'd have 18 pts and 9 dimes or 6 pts and 9 turnovers. I'd look for him to average around 16 and 7 this season. At least thats what I hope he does, and he has a good shot

unluckyseventeen

Oddly enough, after his SG escapades were over, the dude was lights out from 3. I didn't like him playing at the 2 either but as they say, experience is invaluable.

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