Mo Williams’ victory guarantee a problem for Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA news mixed with analysis ...

Their News: “They deserve respect,” he said. “They are a good team. But we are the best team in basketball. I don’t feel that they’ve had to adjust to us one time in the series.”

“Guarantee we’re going to win the series? Yeah, yeah,” he said. “We are down 2-1. But there is nobody on this team and definitely not myself that says we are not going to win this series. Yeah, it is going to be tough. We know that. We get this game tomorrow, go home, still got home-court advantage." (Mo Williams as found on GlobeandMail.com) 

Our Very Quick Analysis: Mo Williams went there.

It didn’t matter that his club was down 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals. And it didn’t matter that his poor shooting was a major reason for their deficit. The combo guard, like Muhammad Ali, Mark Messier, and Joe Namath, called his shot, boasting that Cleveland would mount a comeback and win the series.

Williams is a good player, but hardly a star. For several reasons, his comments could create problems.

The Orlando Magic offered little response when informed of Williams’ guarantee by reporters. Privately, behind closed doors, it was likely a different story. After all, Dwight Howard and company has never felt respected and Williams’ words will surely provide extra motivation on the bulletin board.

Williams is talking too much when considering his shooting woes. Last summer, he was acquired to support James in high-pressure situations. Through three games in the Eastern Conference Finals, he’s averaged a respectable 17 points, but connected on just 32% of his field goal attempts. If Cleveland loses, the Alabama grad could be the scapegoat.

Confidence is necessary in the NBA. Promising a series victory to the media, especially when trailing 2-1 and after losing homecourt, is cocky. Williams may learn this the hard way.

Should Mo Williams have guaranteed a Cavalier win? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.