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August 16, 2017Hindsight always has 20-20 vision. Whether it’s realizing that it was possibly Kyrie Irving’s last season in the wine and gold or the Cleveland Cavaliers needing much more in order to compete with Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors in seven-game series in the NBA Finals, the Cavs need to learn from this past season.
When Cleveland signed Deron Williams to backup Irving at point guard after the veteran was bought out by the Mavericks, many expected Williams to be the backup point guard that the Cavs had been in dire need of all season. He was not only a veteran off the bench, but one that could make plays by himself and create for others. Unfortunately for both Williams and the Cavaliers, things didn’t work out for the 33-year-old in Cleveland.
According to Richard Jefferson, the veteran didn’t like his team with the wine and gold either. On the latest episode of Road Trippin’, RJ talked to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin about Williams’ time in Cleveland and how rocky it was.
Jefferson: “When you ask Deron about golf, his eyes light up. When you ask Deron about MMA, his eyes light up.”
McMenamin: “What about when you talk to him about coming off the bench for the Cavaliers?”
Jefferson: “His eyes did not light up, his eyes did not light up.”
Chris Geeter: “What about when the Warriors saw him coming off the bench?”
[more laughter]
Jefferson: “Their eyes lit up.”
If you have never listened to Road Trippin’, it gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at life in the NBA. While Jefferson was most likely joking around and wasn’t harping on his former teammate, you can’t just not listen to (or read) what he said either. What he said was most likely true, and it shows that Williams didn’t enjoy his short stint with the Cavs.
In 24 regular season games in with the wine and gold (four starts), Williams averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from long distance in 20.3 minutes a night. He not only allowed Irving to rest more, but seemed to be a playmaker off the bench as well.
But, his biggest downfall came in the Finals against the Warriors, where he averaged just one point per game and shooting a dismal 13 percent from the field. He played so poorly that it was tough for the Cavs to keep up with the fast-paced Warriors when Williams was in the game.
Given the way the season ended and how the veteran played, it should come to no surprise that Williams struggled throughout his time in Cleveland and therefore doesn’t want to return. I mean, who can blame him?
It may have been filled with plenty of laughter throughout, but RJ’s insight on the Williams situation brings plenty of light to his time in Cleveland, a time that Williams seems to wish he had back.
To listen to Episode 40 of Road Trippin’ that features Jefferson, McMenamin and Sabrina Morales, you can do so here.
7 Comments
Its a job. While also a game that should be fun to play, its still a job. Many people go through stretches where they hate their job. You’re supposed to buckle down and work your butt off anyway.
Then maybe he’ll enjoy retirement.
If nothing else.. we gained the RoadTrippin’ podcast out of last season. Pure gold.
Despite him being too classy to say otherwise, remember Jerry Sloan quit b/c of what a PITA DW was.
I enjoy him not being on the team anymore.
Geo175s
OH GREAT MORE PEOPLE HATE THE CAVS!