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Jason Williams Retires. Anyone Else Surprised? By C.Y. Ellis
09.26.2008 - Updated on 10.1.2008
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After signing a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Clippers this summer, Jason Williams was expected to make an attempt at a comeback after a couple of lacklustre seasons with the ailing Heat. It’s a bit of a surprise, then, to read today’s news that the formerly problematic point guard has called it quits on his career, bowing out before even reporting to camp for the Clippers.
If you’re wondering what inspired his decision to retire, you’re not alone. After averaging nearly nine points and five assists last season and ranking eighth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio, J-Will was still a productive NBA player, and a potential starter for more than a few franchises. While he likely would have seen only mid-rotation minutes in L.A., the chance to pick up another season’s salary on what promises to be a decent squad should have been incentive enough to make the trip out west.
Instead, Whit Eboy decided he was done. At least, he decided he was done with the NBA. With Euroleague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly prepared to offer him more cash than anyone Stateside, this may not be the final buzzer for Williams so much as a time-out. Could he simply be taking a break in anticipation of a big deal across the pond or is this actually the end for him?
If it really is, it’s time to reminisce on the rollercoaster that was Jason WIlliams’ life in the league. While he may have made the news for the wrong reasons too many times over the past decade, he never failed to entertain, developing a fanbase as strong in China as in his home state of West Virginia. While some careers are measured in rings or statistics, Jason Williams’ contribution to the game is evident in the highlight reels. As the spiritual successor of Pete Maravich and Earl Monroe, White Chocolate brought the streets to the stadium, perplexing opponents with an array of crossovers and no-look passes more often seen on asphalt than hardwood.
So, what’s your favourite Jason WIlliams memory? Let us know in the comment box below. |
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Posted by
i’ll miss jason williams
on 09.27.2008 | damn i wish he’d stayed longer in the league although he might have had many turovers to have the balls to do some things he did on the court, incredible passes which neither nash or even kidd would have thought of...never saw the vid of hi against a.i can anyone tell me if its on youtube? . | Posted by
KING MIKE
on 09.27.2008 | I DON’T CARE WHAT NOODY SAYS....(J. WILL) WAS THAT DUDE. I BET IF HE WOULDN’T HAVE NEVER MESSED UP HIS KNEES....EVERYBODY WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT HIM IN THE SAME BREATH AS ANY OF THE TOP POINT GUARDS IN THE LEAGUE RIGHT NOW. . | Posted by
J.Nguyen
on 09.26.2008 | Eh. Jason Williams wasn’t anything special. The guy is not a leader, defense is terrible and his jumpshot is suspect. Once Hubie Brown got a hold of him, the dream was over. No doubt Jason Williams got some spectacular passes but he did his fair share of turnovers, too. Dude had skills but didn’t know how to utilize them. I really think he retired because he hates the Clippers. He still got a ring riding DWade’s coat tails just like GP. He should be happy. . | Posted by
C.Y. Ellis
on 09.26.2008 | For the record, b.p., the site was undergoing maintenance the day Abdur-Rahim retired. By the time we were back in action, it was old news. Click on the "NBA News & Rumors" link in the left navigation and you’ll see that there was no news at all posted the day it was announced, or for two days after that. Even if we had been running when Shareef retired, we still probably wouldn’t have given him much coverage. Why? Because he avoided controversy and played the game the right way throughout his career. Unfortunately, that’s never going to interest people as much as a guy who flips the bird at fans and throws off-the-elbow passes. If you can accuse us of any bias, it’s a bias towards style over substance. You’d have to cast that aspersion at the media as a whole as well, though. You’d have to bring the fans into it, too. Abdur-Rahim was unquestionably a more valuable player than Williams over the course of their respective careers, but Williams sold more jerseys every single year. . | Posted by
black pride
on 09.26.2008 | what a surprise, talk about he white man when he retires. but the same week, when one of the best and underrated players this decade retires no talk of the black muslim brotha. shareef abdur-rahim deserves some recongition, come on hoopsvibe quit being bias . | Posted by
Future Scout
on 09.26.2008 | damn I just checked out his highlights on youtube. I took for granted how great he was on the court, especially in his early days with the kings, some of the moves he pulled off was amazing. I rememeber he crossed the sh*t out of A.I. then A.I came back at him, one of the sweetest one on one battles I have ever seen. I wish him the best in the next stage in his life. I wish I would have paid more attention to him. It’s not too late to reconsider homie . | Posted by
White Idol
on 09.26.2008 | No doubt as a rookie when he shook the glove Gary Payton. I’m sure it’s on youtube check it out, it was sick, and never seen the glove get handled like that before. That was like A.I. Shaking Jordan. Another one was when he dropped 38 pts in a Grizzles games, dude was on fire. Oh and there was another one when he was on a fast break and did this sweet behind the back play. Damn I am miss him, he can ball. It has to be something more to it of why he retired so suddenly. I don’t think injuries was the only factor. He is one of a kind . |
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