Deron Williams, the most recognizable NBA player playing overseas during this ridiculous lockout, scored 11 points and had five assists in a recent Turkish league game. Playing for Besiktas, the New Jersey Nets point guard was just 2-for-10 from the field in 23 minutes in a 107-69 victory over Bandirma Kirmizi, one of the least-talented teams in the league.
D-Will’s early performances in Turkey have fallen a little flat. In fact they were so bland they couldn’t get any air time on NBA TV, which was too busy showing reruns of “Teen Wolf” and “One on One.” Besiktas’ game was a blip on the radar because, quite frankly, it was unspectacular and lacked any eye-popping highlights. Williams looked a little out of shape and was even outshined by his Besiktas teammate, Turkish forward Semih Erden (Cleveland Cavaliers), who scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds against Bandirma.
Marcelus Kemp led Besiktas with 27 points while David Hawkins added 22 points and four assists. Williams is supposed to be the headliner for Besiktas, the same team that signed Allen Iverson. But so far D-Will has taken a backseat to a couple of unknowns.
According to the New York Times, Williams’ salary would be between $200,000 and $350,000 a month, or $2 million to $3.5 million for the 10-month season. The deal also includes a car and housing. He will also be provided with a security guard, driver and personal assistant 24 hours a day. Talk about being pampered! If a European club is willing to do this for a second-tier star like Williams, image how far a club would go to satisfy someone like Kobe Bryant.
Sounds like the 27-year-old Williams (seen in the video below wearing his familiar No. 8 jersey in white) is getting a great deal out of this expensive European vacation, while Besiktas is getting is about half the effort from their big signing. Williams clearly doesn’t want to get hurt playing overseas and won’t take risks. He’ll play this thing like an NBA preseason. Besiktas would have been better off signing Earl Watson.
quite wrong analysis indeed. Deron needed a tall and strong pg to feed with assists. In this game (against Dexia Monz) Besiktas lacked one. But now that they got Semih Erden, the duo plays pretty good in harmony. They trashed the opposition in the first regular domestic league game (107-69). You should check him getting better.
I’m sure D-Will is getting better with each game, but that doesn’t excuse him for being out of shape and very unimpressive in his debut. If you are a true NBA star, you should dominate at every level.