Deron Williams Chat Transcript: March 10, 2006
Deron chatted on March 10.NBAE/Getty Images |
Williams earned consensus Second Team All-American honors as a junior and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament Chicago Regional in addition to making the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team. He led the Big Ten and ranked 11th nationally in assists (6.8 apg) while leading the Illini to a 37-2 record, a Big Ten title and a berth in the National Championship game. Williams tallied 17 points and seven assists in the championship game loss to North Carolina after a 22-point, 10-rebound performance in a Elite Eight comeback win over Arizona.
Williams was named First Team All-Big Ten both his junior and senior seasons and completed his collegiate career as the second all-time leader in assists in Illinois history with 594. He became the first player in Big Ten history to lead the conference in assists in each of his first three seasons (conference games only). A native of Parkersburg, W.Va., Williams was a high school teammate of Minnesota Timberwolves draft pick Bracey Wright.
Deron chatted live with fans on Friday, March 10. Check out the complete chat transcript below:
Travis (North Dakota): Deron, I just want to congratulate you on your spectacular play since the All-Star break. What has changed for you to have this success? Thanks and keep up the great work!
Deron Williams: I just got a chance to re-focus over the All-Star Break and I got some of my confidence back and feel good about my game now.
Taylor (Salt Lake City): What are the biggest things that you notice during the transition from the college game to the pros?
Deron Williams: The hardest transition was the traveling and the amount of games. I've already played 60 games this season, which is like two entire college seasons, and we aren't even done with the season yet.
Boris, Sofia (Bulgaria): Was there anything that surprised you in the NBA? Something that you weren't prepared for?
Deron Williams: Ha (Laughing) Almost like the entire last answer. But additionally, I wasn't ready to get up early in the morning and carry all the bags for the veterans either.
Brady Cook / Layton: What was it like to play in the all-star rookie challage?
Deron Williams: It was fun, the whole weekend was fun and I was honored to be a part of that. I soaked up the whole experience, because you never know when you'll be back there.
Springville: What do you do with any extra time you have between practices and games?
Deron Williams: Sleep and hang out with my family. That's about it. I hang with my little girl.
Sam Ramahi: What do you think about the Illini this year, how far can they go?
Deron Williams: I think they're doing great. Nobody expected them to be this good, they've been in the Top 10 almost all year and I think they have a great shot to get back to the Final Four.
Gimmie( Cracow, Poland): I think that you are a very responsible guy on the court. Which element of the game you think you have to urgently improve the most?
Deron Williams: Hmmm. I think there are alot of things. Being consistent night-in and night-out. And being a better defensive player. And being a better finisher around the basket. Those are some of the top things.
Bordy Buckner (Bergerac, France): Deron, thank you for participating in this chat today. What are the differences in the coaching style of your previous coach (Coach Weber at Illinois), and your current coach (Coach Sloan)?
Deron Williams: I think the systems are opposite. Coach Weber's style was motion offense, where you just play, whatever came to you. Coach Sloan's style is more structured. In Illinois we only ran a few plays and then just did screens, back-screens, whatever. Coach Sloan is much more structured.
Springfield IL: What would you be doing if not basketball?
Deron Williams: Probably coaching. I'd want to be a part of the game in some aspect.
Ed (SLC): How do you like SLC. Is it hard for you to adjust? I know that all younger guys have a little trouble adjusting (including myself).
Deron Williams: No. I like Salt Lake. It's a great city. There is no traffic. It's a great place to raise a family. The fans are great. It's all good.
Justin Brockbank : Who is the funnist player on the Jazz?
Deron Williams: Probably Memo Okur. He's always joking. He's also ready with a smart comment, smart remark that gets the team going.
Colin Hooten( Pleasant View): Hey Deron, What is Your Favorite NBA moment?
Deron Williams: Probably hitting the game-winner against the Clippers last week. That was my first end of the game deal where I finished off a game.
Seth Brockbank AF: There is all this media hype about you and Chris Paul being friends, did you have this relationship before the 05 NBA draft? Thanks
Deron Williams: Yeah, we got to know eachother the summer before at the Nike Camp and the Jordan Camp. We became pretty good friends.
Peyman(villa park, CA): what up deron,
what team do you look forward to playing against the most?
Deron Williams: Probably the Dallas Mavericks. It's fun to go back home and face the team I grew up as a fan of. So, it'd be Dallas.
Ryan: Deron, How does it feel to be a rookie in the NBA was it always your dream?
Deron Williams: It feels good to be a rookie in the NBA. It's a dream come true, since I was four-years-old. I hope I can make a good career out of it.
Silver Star: What do you think that the Jazz have to improve upon to get to the playoffs?
Deron Williams: I think we need to be more consistent. Some games we look like one of the best teams in the NBA, and other games we don't. We need to reach that top level of play and try to stay up there consistently in order to make a run.
Deron Williams: Thanks for chatting with me today. Sorry I didn't get a chance to answer all of the questions, but I really appreciate the interest. Keep supporting me and the Jazz. Thanks again.
