Marvin Williams the Most Overrated Player in the Draft

With the #2 pick in the NBA Draft, The Atlanta Hawks select, Marvin Williams forward from the University of North Carolina. A massive draft mistake, Williams proved in one year of college that he had potential. Potential is the killer of many young athletes, forcing teenagers to try to live up to the hype. Williams may have talent but he may be one of the most overrated players to hit the NBA in since Shawn  Bradley. Marvin Williams is being touted as the next NBA superstar. The small forward from North Carolina was a leader for the NCAA Champion Tarheels as a freshmen, a year after he almost entered the NBA Draft. Williams has the size, speed, and raw skills to be a major star at the next level. He may have first team All-Rookie written on his resume at this time next year, maybe even a Rookie of the Year Trophy on his mantle. Williams seems like the perfect draft pick for any team who is lucky enough to draft him. Don’t believe the hype; Williams will be more journeyman than Jordan.

Marvin Williams is a poor man’s Dominique Wilkins, but lacks that something special. Watching Williams play can be truly frustrating, a player with virtually unlimited potential who just can’t perform at a consistent level. Is he the twenty point fifteen rebound dynamo that he displayed against Iowa State in the NCAA tournament? Is he the player who virtually disappeared in two Final Four games, scoring only ten points combined and committing more turnovers than assists and blocks combined? At age 19, and with only one year of college basketball experience, it may be too soon to tell. One thing is clear about Marvin Williams, he performs at his best against weak opponents, and is shut down when he is in the limelight.

North Carolina played some of the best teams in college basketball in 2004-2005, facing off against Duke, Indiana, UConn, Illinois, Wake Forest, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Maryland and Georgia Tech. In thirteen games against top college teams Williams didn’t display a game that would put him among the NCAA’s elite players. He averaged 8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, less than one assist per game, and only shot 40 percent from the field. His best games came against Oakland, Iowa State, Loyola-Chicago, North Carolina State, Cleveland State, and William and Mary. In the NBA there are no easy games on the schedule, no fluff teams to blow out.

Williams joins one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks. This works against Williams on two levels. Williams needs a team with established players that would allow him to learn from more experienced teammates, players who could take the pressure off his shoulders. The Hawks are a team with a young nucleus and few veteran players. The other issue is that the Hawks have a roster stacked with young players that he will have to battle for playing time. While competition can bring out the best in athletes, Williams needs playing time to get accustomed to the pace and physicality of the NBA. Williams is a young man who is about to embark on an overwhelming challenge. If he had more experience as a player he would be much better equipped to deal with the pressure that will become a way of life as his career progresses.

IT LOOKED GOOD ON PAPER…

Even with Dee Brown returning to Illinois after a broken foot, the 2005 NBA Draft will be remembered as the year of the point guard. Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Raymond Felton, Jarrett Jack, Daniel Ewing, John Lucas, Salim Stoudamire, and Nate Robinson could all be starters in the NBA within a few years.

Could anyone have guessed that David Stern would wear gold pants at the Draft? Don’t the draft picks wear the hideous clothes?

If you missed the championship game of NFL Europe you missed Jarrett Payton and Dave Ragone proving that they deserve a chance to play in the NFL.

John Rocker asked the Long Island Ducks for his release so he could decide his future. According to a teammate who wished to remain anonymous Rocker has applied at Denny’s, Blockbuster, and for the recent vacancy as Cincinnati Red’s pitching coach.

Several potential lottery picks were confused after interviews with Clippers Owner David Sterling and General Manager Elgin Baylor. The first question each player was asked was, “Which NBA team would you like to play for when we trade you or when you get your first chance to leave as a free agent?” Three players said they wanted to stay with the Clippers and were asked to leave the building.

Lou Pinella put a stop to a Red’s giveaway of a Pinella bobblehead that featured him arguing with an umpire. He insisted that the doll depict him yelling at Devil Ray’s ownership.

100 NBA fans were asked for their opinion of the Cleveland Cavs hiring Danny Ferry as General Manager. The results
4% – LeBron hired Ferry to add street cred to his posse
16% – Has a clause which allows the Cavs to sell advertising space on his bald spot
19% – Couldn’t be worse that the last GM, um, what’s his name? Did they have a GM?
25% – Was Drew Carrey busy?
36% – Was hired because he was still on the injured reserve for the Cavs and couldn’t leave the arena under his own power, so he was already there. Work ethic gets you a job in Cleveland.

The Cubs are playing well, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are healthy again, and Derek Lee is in the Triple Crown hunt. TRADE NOMAR GARCIAPARRA NOW AND YOU MAY STILL WIN THE WORLD SERIES THIS YEAR. IT WORKED FOR BOSTON.

Rex Chapman was hired as GM of the Timberwolves after President, Director of Player Personnel, Coach, GM, ballboy, organ player, and valet Kevin Mchale was given a great recommendation by Danny Ainge. Chapman then released Kevin Garnett, traded the next 3 first round picks to Utah for Mark Eaton, and signed Oliver Miller to a maximum contract extension.
The Hawks signed Garnett then traded him back to Minnesota for Qwertyuiop Asdfhghjkl, a prospect from Europe the Wolves had previously drafted. Chapman called this move a steal at a press conference. It took the Hawks almost an hour to realize that there is no such player; the name is just the top two lines of the keyboard. Atlanta ownership complained to David Stern but he was too busy laughing and negotiating with MC Hammer to the rights to wear his pants at the draft.