Monson Deron Williams The total package, Part 3
And while the second-team All-NBA point guard now stands on the brink of real fame and fortune, he’s managed to convince himself that delivering on the court is what matters, that humility is still important, that he’s not really that big a deal.
Those were Charles Barkley’s words, spouted to his TNT audience after Game 1 of the Jazz-Warriors second-round playoff series in 2007. Williams had 31 points and eight assists in that Western semifinals opener, which was just one example of the point guard’s prowess at the end of his second season.
"Deron Williams is going to be a household name after this series."
Those words didn’t flow forth at the end of a disingenuous blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah kind of prepared statement. He seemed truly moved by the privilege, as though it really meant something to him.
"I grew up with no money," he says.
Jul. 4–This is the third in a three-part series on Jazz point guard — from his childhod days as a wrestler in Texas, to nearly winning an NCAA championship at Illinois, to becoming floor general of the Utah Jazz and perhaps landing a contract worth as much as $90 million.The most striking thing about Deron Williams’ recent press conference officially announcing his making the U.S. Olympic basketball team was the humility he showed in that moment.
He’s had his name mispronounced — Yo, T-Mac! — his entire life.
There are times when Williams puts the con in confident, when he comes across as surly and bothered and petulant — "Sometimes, I am a jackass," he admits — and others when he’s about as deep and thoughtful and engaging as an NBA player ever gets.
On the verge of signing a maxed-out contract extension with the Jazz that could pay the 24-year-old upwards of $100 million, Williams remains tethered to a modest upbringing that hammered into him a full measure of perspective.
"It’s an honor for me to represent my country," he said. "I’m thrilled to death."
"Hey," he says, "I’ve walked through a hotel lobby with Kobe, with LeBron."
"It does," he says.
