Denton: White Chocolate Now Old Faithful
By John Denton
January 12, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Incredibly, White Chocolate has morphed into Old Faithful.
Jason Williams, who hit the NBA 11 seasons ago as a flashy, daring point guard who wasn’t afraid to try any sort of pass or shot, has remarkably become a steady, trustworthy playmaker for the Orlando Magic. The fans in Sacramento, where Williams first took the league by storm back in 1998 and dubbed him White Chocolate for his ability to inject some soul into the game, might not even recognize the point guard today who now values possessions and is a model of consistency.
Williams ranking third in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.0 assists for every turnover) is akin to Brett Favre leading the NFL in quarterback efficiency or Ichiro Suzuki leading Major League Baseball in home runs. But Williams, now 34, has changed personality and his game to fit his surroundings in Orlando. At this stage in his career, he’s still around for just one singular reason.
``It comes with the territory of where you are in your career and how your team plays,’’ Williams said at ARCO Arena, site of Tuesday night’s game between the Magic and Kings. ``Now, it’s all about trying to win a championship, and whatever it takes to get that done, that’s what I need to do.’’
What Williams has done this season is become a reliable fallback option for a Magic team that has had to deal with Jameer Nelson’s lingering soreness following arthroscopic surgery. He’s been equal parts brilliant and steady, giving the Magic a lift on nights when Nelson has struggled or been ineffective.
That has come as a shock to some after Williams sat out all of last season. Just two months after signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2008, Williams abruptly retired to spend more time with his wife, who endured a troubled pregnancy. Both wife, Denika, and 8-month-old daughter, Nina, are both fine now, allowing Williams to return to the NBA this season with the Magic.
And thus far he’s played like a veteran who is treasuring every second on the court. Being away revitalized Williams, who has impressed the Magic with his high level of energy and playmaking through 37 games.
``It took him a little while to get back into it and get it back, but his efficiency has been outstanding. He’s not turning the ball over and he’s shot the ball better than I would have thought,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy admitted. ``But he’s playing around other quality people and a big man (in Dwight Howard) where he’s getting quality shots. He’s been phenomenal, but I can’t say that I’m surprised by it.’’
In a season beset by injuries, illness and suspension so far, Williams is one of just four Magic players to play in all 37 games. His numbers – 7.1 points and 4.2 assists – are more than the Magic could have ever hoped for in 23.6 minutes a game. He’s shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from 3-point range. And he’s turning the ball over just once a game on average.
The once, wild, somewhat out of control Williams has been a model of consistency for the Magic.
``It’s still just basketball and if you play the game the right way and you are surrounded by great players, it just makes your job a lot easier,’’ Williams said.
He’s made life somewhat easier for the Magic’s struggling offense with some performances where he’s poured in points in bunches. He had 14 points on Saturday against Atlanta – all of them coming in a second-quarter explosion.
There was a 16-point, seven-assist performance against Milwaukee in which he made all five of his 3-point shots. He had another 16 in early December when L.A. Clippers fans booed him relentlessly. And there was the spectacular 25-point night earlier this season against Miami that showed every one that Williams still has plenty of pep in his step.
But Williams said he’s beyond trying to prove anything to anybody now. His only mission is to get a second championship ring to pair with the one he won in Miami with the Heat. He thinks this Magic team is more talented than that Miami squad, but has yet to live up to its full potential.
``I just think sometimes we think we can show up and win, but teams are coming at us with all they’ve got,’’ he said. ``We’re Eastern Conference champs, we have some superstars and all-stars and people are coming for us.’’
As for Williams long-term future, he sounds like a person who still enjoys playing and hopes to stick around the Magic long beyond this season.
``I’m just trying to get through this year,’’ he said with a laugh. ``I love playing, so we’ll talk about that in the summer time.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonJanuary 12, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Incredibly, White Chocolate has morphed into Old Faithful.
Jason Williams, who hit the NBA 11 seasons ago as a flashy, daring point guard who wasn’t afraid to try any sort of pass or shot, has remarkably become a steady, trustworthy playmaker for the Orlando Magic. The fans in Sacramento, where Williams first took the league by storm back in 1998 and dubbed him White Chocolate for his ability to inject some soul into the game, might not even recognize the point guard today who now values possessions and is a model of consistency.
Williams ranking third in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.0 assists for every turnover) is akin to Brett Favre leading the NFL in quarterback efficiency or Ichiro Suzuki leading Major League Baseball in home runs. But Williams, now 34, has changed personality and his game to fit his surroundings in Orlando. At this stage in his career, he’s still around for just one singular reason.
``It comes with the territory of where you are in your career and how your team plays,’’ Williams said at ARCO Arena, site of Tuesday night’s game between the Magic and Kings. ``Now, it’s all about trying to win a championship, and whatever it takes to get that done, that’s what I need to do.’’
What Williams has done this season is become a reliable fallback option for a Magic team that has had to deal with Jameer Nelson’s lingering soreness following arthroscopic surgery. He’s been equal parts brilliant and steady, giving the Magic a lift on nights when Nelson has struggled or been ineffective.
That has come as a shock to some after Williams sat out all of last season. Just two months after signing a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2008, Williams abruptly retired to spend more time with his wife, who endured a troubled pregnancy. Both wife, Denika, and 8-month-old daughter, Nina, are both fine now, allowing Williams to return to the NBA this season with the Magic.
And thus far he’s played like a veteran who is treasuring every second on the court. Being away revitalized Williams, who has impressed the Magic with his high level of energy and playmaking through 37 games.
``It took him a little while to get back into it and get it back, but his efficiency has been outstanding. He’s not turning the ball over and he’s shot the ball better than I would have thought,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy admitted. ``But he’s playing around other quality people and a big man (in Dwight Howard) where he’s getting quality shots. He’s been phenomenal, but I can’t say that I’m surprised by it.’’
In a season beset by injuries, illness and suspension so far, Williams is one of just four Magic players to play in all 37 games. His numbers – 7.1 points and 4.2 assists – are more than the Magic could have ever hoped for in 23.6 minutes a game. He’s shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from 3-point range. And he’s turning the ball over just once a game on average.
The once, wild, somewhat out of control Williams has been a model of consistency for the Magic.
``It’s still just basketball and if you play the game the right way and you are surrounded by great players, it just makes your job a lot easier,’’ Williams said.
He’s made life somewhat easier for the Magic’s struggling offense with some performances where he’s poured in points in bunches. He had 14 points on Saturday against Atlanta – all of them coming in a second-quarter explosion.
There was a 16-point, seven-assist performance against Milwaukee in which he made all five of his 3-point shots. He had another 16 in early December when L.A. Clippers fans booed him relentlessly. And there was the spectacular 25-point night earlier this season against Miami that showed every one that Williams still has plenty of pep in his step.
But Williams said he’s beyond trying to prove anything to anybody now. His only mission is to get a second championship ring to pair with the one he won in Miami with the Heat. He thinks this Magic team is more talented than that Miami squad, but has yet to live up to its full potential.
``I just think sometimes we think we can show up and win, but teams are coming at us with all they’ve got,’’ he said. ``We’re Eastern Conference champs, we have some superstars and all-stars and people are coming for us.’’
As for Williams long-term future, he sounds like a person who still enjoys playing and hopes to stick around the Magic long beyond this season.
``I’m just trying to get through this year,’’ he said with a laugh. ``I love playing, so we’ll talk about that in the summer time.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
