[原文] Williams aims to thrive in shadow of Kidd
By John Denton
Special to ESPN.com
Updated: July 12, 2007, 11:31 AM ET
ORLANDO -- For New Jersey Nets reserve point guard Marcus Williams, the act
of balancing a potentially frustrating situation and getting the opportunity
of a lifetime hasn't always been easy.
On the one hand, Williams is stuck in the enormous shadow of Jason Kidd,
knowing that what few minutes he does get will come only when the legendary
point god rests or is out injured.
Williams is polishing his point skills in Orlando.
On the other hand, Williams gets to learn at the fingertips of a future Hall
of Famer, a situation most young point guards would cherish for the long-term
benefits it might provide.
It's akin to being Sean Connery's understudy, Peyton Manning's backup at
quarterback and No. 2 in the world to Tiger Woods. Sure, there are perks, but
there's also plenty of wondering when your day to shine will come.
"At first, it was very difficult because all my life I've been used to
playing big minutes," said Williams, one of the stars this week in the Pepsi
Summer League in Orlando. "But then when I really looked at it, I realized,
'Hey, I'm not just sitting behind anybody. This is Jason Kidd!'" I've tried
to take it as a positive. I'm watching him, learning from him, and I know it
will help me down the line."
A little bit of Kidd seems to have rubbed off on Williams in the summer
league. Like Kidd, he has been dominant in practically every phase of the
game, leading the Nets' summer league team in scoring (19.3 ppg.) and assists
(4.3 apg.) and ranking second in rebounding (6.3 rpg.). Williams played
poorly Wednesday, turning the ball over nine times and missing 8-of-11 shots
in New Jersey's 90-65 loss to Indiana, but he has let it be known this week
that he's capable of taking on a bigger role this season.
Kidd had a throwback type of season for the Nets, averaging 13 points, 9.2
assists and 8.1 rebounds a game. But with Kidd already 34, the Nets know
Father Time eventually will slow him down, and they want Williams to be ready
for a seamless transition.
Like Kidd, he is a natural with the ball in his hands and always seems to get
it in the right places. The summer league has been more about trying to get
to the rim off the dribble for Williams, but his court vision and passing
skills are still evident every time he leads a fast break.
Nets president Rod Thorn said that even though Kidd is still a fixture of the
franchise, this is an important summer for Williams.
"Marcus got his feet wet last year playing about 14 minutes a game, and now
we want him to make the normal progression," Thorn said. "He's a great talent
with super passing skills.
"We definitely need him to keep improving so we can rest Jason more. If he
can keep improving, that will allow us to play him more. It's something we're
counting on."
Williams knows that although his chances of displacing Kidd soon are
nonexistent, there still is an opportunity to prove there won't be a
significant drop-off when he comes into the game.
"Playing out here this summer, I'm trying to show them that I can be a
leader, make plays and play defense," he said. "I want to give the staff and
front office some confidence in me that I can produce like this during the
season."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=orlandosummerleaguesday3
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 220.132.58.136
※ 編輯: NetsFan 來自: 220.132.58.136 (07/13 09:31)
Nets 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章