Jordan Williams Sent to the D-League
by JWKTerp on Jan 18, 2012 11:04 AM EST
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Print"The Nets also announced that they’ve assigned forward Jordan Williams to their D-League affiliate in Springfield."
I respect his decision, but it's so frustrating to think how much better this years team would have been with him and possibly how much more he could have developed under Turgeon (given the Padgett article). I'm a Nets fan, so hopefully he won't be there long and can start contributing some double doubles soon.
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/new-jersey-nets
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Never to be heard from again?
As much as I dislike his decision it looks better for us if he succeeds.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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YEP...
platers better than him have suffered that fate. Who the hell was in his ear telling him he could be a pro? I’m being a little selfish…but he needed another year – as did WE!
by WherestheBison on Jan 18, 2012 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
Family
Believe the word was leaked out that his family was having some money issues so he declared for the draft so he could support them
I heard this a couple times too, but always as 4th-hand rumors
I doubt this is the case tho. Didn’t his parents come out and say they wanted him to stay in school?
Yes, his parents always valued education
from what I’ve heard
by kryptonianjorel on Jan 19, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
I hated his decision too.
But it’s his life, and he’s still a Terp, so I wish him the best. Hopefully he can work his way back to the big stage, or make a good living overseas.
by 1 proud terp on Jan 18, 2012 11:10 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
jordan and gary were bound
No way gary retires if jordan stayed.
Agreed - GW saw handwriting on the wall
when JW decided to go pro – being another average team with NIT prospects at best.
if gary hadnt left
then we would have had a few more players too… bruening and gibbs. so who knows, at least this year we maybe would have been better then we are – but longterm it was probably best for the terps for the new energy turgeon brings
Gibbs is a moron
what is he averaging, like 3 minutes a game at Texas? Texas always recruits a great PG, so the most he’ll ever play is backup minutes
Bruening plays very little at the U of WA -
so I doubt he’d have been much of a factor at MD.
No doubt...
neither of them would be amazing 5 star players (didnt mean to imply otherwise) but they would have had to be better then walkons… and given how light we were especially before pe and len came back – it couldn’t have hurt us to have some more bodies…. Would it have turned iona, alabama , or illinios into a win? Doubt it — perhaps with illinios, because we had that game and just got too tired… which would look pretty damn good right now to have just that one more win…
Gibbs would help more than Breunig
Since he was recruited as a PG, it’d be nice to have some depth behind Pe’ that was actually a PG rather than a 2 guard or a 3 playing the point.
For sure...!
Plus, itd would be better for him too — but as stated in first post… i suppose long term its probably better for us….
Could just as easily say:
no way Jordan leaves if Gary stayed.
Unless Gary told Jordan he was going to retire before the announcement was made...
This is destined to replace the “what came first, the chicken of the egg” conundrum among Terps fans.
Wasn’t he in really good shape?
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
For the combine. After the lockout started, he stopped working out
by terpfan812 on Jan 18, 2012 2:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
oh...no bueno
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Was he expecting the season to be canceled?
by kryptonianjorel on Jan 19, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
good question
only he can answer it of course, but I’ll hazard a guess. After working so hard to gain muscle and lose weight, Jordan got sick shortly thereafter and felt drained (due to the quick weight loss?) during some workouts, which otherwise were reported to be going good for him (outside of actual athleticism numbers which we know about).
I’m guessing he couldn’t keep up that routine and pace, thereby falling back into old habits w/o having a trainer with him full time. This continued when the lockout loomed large. This is just a guess, but as good as any.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 19, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
He certainly didn't help himself by reporting out of shape!!!!
He should have known better than that.
Occasionally there's D League games on TV -
and the quality of the players is quite high. JW’s going to have his hands full
competing with these guys, and if he doesn’t get himself and his game in shape it’ll
be a short run.
This may come as a surprise to some but...
There are some pretty good teams in the D-League. My hometown Toros are actually a really solid fundamental team. The Spurs are really invested in them and it shows. Such a head-scratcher why more pro teams don’t do the same.
Just being big might allow you to rack up some numbers in D-League play but the teams that win play good as a unit, so Jordan may find it more difficult than he expected to compete there.
not really
The Nets would not have given JW a 2 year guaranteed deal. This is a shot across the bow to wake him up. The Nets need rebounding help bad.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 18, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
His biggest issue is his height
Unless he grows 3 inches in the D League, he is done. He was a good college player, however, his height and his skill set do not match up for the NBA.
by HeroOfTheDay on Jan 18, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
Huh?
He’s listed as 6’10", probably just under 6-9 in reality. You don’t need to be 7 feet tall to be a good rebounder in the NBA.
We don’t know what his biggest problem is because he’s not in good enough shape to show what he’s got. I really hope he gets his act together before it’s too late.
Think he measured 6' 7.5", no shoes. He's just wide.
Fear the Turgle!
I met DeJuan Blair, and Mr. Jordan is no DeJuan Blair!
Fear the Turgle!
Blair is a far better athlete than jw
Better hops, makes all the difference.
Ah I vaguely remember that coming out during the combine, right?
Either way. With his mass and hands, his height doesn’t preclude him from being a decent NBA player. I’m not saying it’s likely he will become one, he might not even get back on a roster, but that won’t be solely because of his height.
6'9 is generous
But, Rodman and Barkley were shorter. Good fundamentals can trump size limitations.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
13" vertical
Agree he’s a Terp for life, and wish him the best … B
by Terp924 on Jan 18, 2012 2:39 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
But the shorter NBA rebounders can actually jump a little.
by Terp924 on Jan 18, 2012 2:40 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I know Rodman could jump
But I don’t remember Barkley being a leaper.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
barkley was a jumper...
he told a story about how he got his hops from jumping side to side over a fence back home growing up. he posterized boat loads of people.
I don’t remember Barkley being a crazy dunker.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
I stand corrected
I guess I just forgot about him with all the other crazy dunkers of that era.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Jan 18, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
Ewing?
It’s a toss up. I also LOVED Dominique Wilkins!!! That dude was a freak!!!
by 1 proud terp on Jan 18, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
They're all great players
Chuck just had every part of the game at his disposal. Great defender, great rebounder, could dunk on you, shot the 3 and when you have a rule made especially for you (5 second closely guarded) you’re doing something right.
The reason Ewing never got a ring is karma. He was wrongfully obtained. Stern “froze” the envelope and bent the corner when he put it in with the rest of the envelopes and obviously reached right for the bent corner.
You really can’t help but love the “Human Highlight Film”. He was an insane athlete. The dunk contests with him and Jordan were epic. I loved it when NBA tv would show the “hardwood games” from back in the day. Wilkins was always a joy to watch.
by terpsallday on Jan 19, 2012 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
The Stockton/Malone pick and roll
was money in the bank!
by 1 proud terp on Jan 19, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Shocking
He listened to the wrong people, that’s for sure. He should have never went pro until he developed more of an offensive game.
Ask him in five years and I guarantee you he says it was a mistake to go pro.
If JW slightly improved to 19 and 12 this season
and played well, and improved a few facets of his game, his numbers would rival Thomas Robinson. He would most have gotten drafted just behind Robinson in the lower 1st round worst.
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 18, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
It was within his grasp, he could almost taste it
Now he’s got to struggle to taste it. And right now, he can’t have it. It’s his epic struggle…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERTT_sv8sV0
"A new era has dawned in Maryland Athletics..."
by bball purist on Jan 18, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
More competition in the 2012 draft than the 2011.
That’s why I think he should have played through his senior season, and given himself a chance to work on the skillsets he’d need at the next level.
His game kept getting better
He was a lottery pick if he stayed.
Hope he goes back and gets it
Otherwise our APR takes a hit
Not that big of a deal
It’s not that big of a deal. Some playing time will do him good
The penalty for making bad decisions.
Ignore everyone in the know, including your coach AND high school coach AND NBA Scouting Director. He listened to only one person: George Washington.
This was a no brainer and JDub blew it. He’s done.
Fear the Turgle!
I really hope you are wrong,
but it’s becoming harder and harder to find an argument against you.
I think you are wron NY
He had to go last year. He saw everyone that stayed and realized his stock was never going to get higher. He was on a lot of mock drafts going at the end of the 1st round AKA guaranteed money. If he stays this year, and enters the 2012 draft, he doesn’t even get drafted and gets no contract at all.
I agree our team would be better, but his life would not.
He would have gotten drafted this year
And like I and others have said before, you don’t stick in the NBA because of your first contract, it’s what you get for your second contract that allows you to really become an NBA player. By leaving before he was ready, Jordan won’t make it in the NBA because he won’t ever get that second contract.
So you're saying he'd improve more in his one year at Maryland than he will this year at New Jersey?
I'm saying that
Jordan wasn’t ready to play in the NBA this season, that should be obvious now. Will he improve more in the NBDL this season than he would have at UMD, maybe. That’s not the point though.
If you’re a fringe NBA talent, and Jordan definitely is, if you come into the league before you’re ready, you’ll get washed away before you even get the chance to improve.
I point to Greivis as a good example. He wasn’t really any more talented of a player from his junior to senior season. What he was though, was more mature, stronger, and ready to play in the NBA right away. If Greivis had left after his junior year, and not really done anything in the NBA his first year, he would have had to make an impact this year, or he’d be out of the league.
You only get a two-year deal to prove you belong. Jordan basically wasted one of those years by coming out before he was ready.
My point is, if you come out before you’re ready to play right away, the chances of you sticking in the league are much less than if you come out and you’re ready to play.
That's fair enough
I’m not sure a one size fits all theory, especially given that guys like Hassan Whiteside, Kevin Seraphin, and Hamady N’Diaye are still around. (And my bigger point with JW has always been that no matter how much better he got, there was a good chance his relative stock still would’ve fallen, and if it did there’s no guarantee he’s even drafted, which would probably render this moot.) But yes, I can see where you’re coming from.
But would another year at Maryland
really prepared him for the NBA? At MD he probably would have remained a low post back to the basket player and at his true size closer to (6’8" than 6’10") he’s not going to be that in the League. Barkley was a (pardon the pun) more well rounded athlete than JW and when he got to the league he stretched his game out to be able to hit 3 point shots with some consistency. This wouldn’t have happened for JW at MD. So if his family needed the money or even if he was just greedy, I can’t really fault his decision too much.
I don't think one year would of did it for him
Not with this draft class. He DEFINITELY would not of been drafted in this upcoming draft with all the bigs coming out. If he didn’t go last year, he’d of had to stay two years and hoped the 2013 draft wasn’t as strong as the upcoming 2012 draft.
I’m not sure how he would of been utilized differently either, so valid point there. They have Alex Len (but would they of looked for him otherwise?), but as we’ve all stated, Len is just a really, really tall 4 that is playing out of position at the 5 at hte moment. So JW would of stayed at the 5 spot while Len/Padgett/Pankey play the 4, so continued back to the basket play. What he needed from MD was to allow him to play a more face-up 4 position so he could develop the jump shot, almost like how Dino was playing his senior year.
You weak spot
I don’t know if it’s your laser focus on the college sport or what but you have always been on the wrong side of this argument from day one. Plus, you have been pretty stubborn about staying there.
There was NO ONE, I mean no one, saying this kid should have went pro last year. Scouts, media, coaches, NBA execs…they were all on the same page. He didn’t have an NBA game.
No, we was not going to grow taller or become more athletic in a year or two but he would have developed a jump shot. Gotten better footwork, gotten more solid physically. Being in a structured program is what keeps these kids in shape. Leaving in a year where there was no structure because of the lockout was a worst case scenario.
Now the kid has gotten out of shape and is struggling in the D league. Just because the kids has the right to go pro doesn’t make it the right decision for him. In all likelihood, he has cost himself a considerable sum of money.
I’d largely debate the point that no one said he should’ve left. I certainly didn’t read any interviews from coaches or execs who unequivocally stated that they believed Jordan Williams shouldn’t have gone pro. The only thing I fully remember is one of Chad Ford’s mock drafts where he said that JW’s game would improve with another year but that with everyone staying there was a bubble in the draft so he took a risk. That’s not the same.
Two points: first of all, we have no idea if he improves his game. None whatsoever. Does he improve his jumper? Or does Gary stick him in the low block every possession to maximize our chance of winning? His footwork and physicality would probably improve to some extent, but think about it: he can’t get in shape in the NBA, when he has nothing to worry about except getting in shape. Why do we think he would transform his body here when he can’t there?
Secondly, my real view in all this is that unless Williams took an extraordinary leap, which I find unlikely, his draft stock was very likely going to go down. Think about it: between Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger, Terrence Jones, Perry Jones, Tyler Zeller, John Henson, and Thomas Robinson (all of whom were expected to come out last year but didn’t), that’s seven spots he’d have to make up to maintain the same draft status. … Truth be told, I don’t think he does.
I respect the argument that, if improved and if he was drafted a year later, he’d likely be a better position. I just find that to be a riskier choice than going into the draft right away and then working on his flaws full-time with an NBA staff to get better more quickly. Because if he didn’t improve significantly, his relative stock falls, and who knows what happens then?
We’ll never know who was right.
You're half right
We may not know that staying another year or two would have resulted in a NBA career—but if he continues to fail and washes out we will know that going early did not.
I think your argument would have been more valid if this NBA season was a regular season. But he knew when he declared it was going to be at least shortened. That means no preseason workouts or games to get some PT and get better.
I also don’t agree with the NBA being a great developer of talent. Sure, if you are some 18 year old kid with crazy talent they will. But if you are a 6’6 power forward with limited athletic ability, you are on your own.
He is a good guy but I think he lacks maturity. How you let yourself get that out of shape when you know the deck is already stacked against you is beyond me.
If there wasn't a lockout, he'd be playing pro now
He’s in the minors because he is out of shape…they called it dehydration…but the extended lockout and the fact he was not working out and his propensity for weight gain sent him to the minors. Have we forgotten how effective he was? This guy, regardless of height, was a sure handed rebounder..(.he was still available when the Bullets drafted in the second round and picked Mack instead…what a mistake!) but he needed a shot (like all of our big men now). The Williams coaching staff would have worked on that weakness…he would have been a much better player coming out his junior or senior years. The difference between his freshmen year and soph was startling…big jump in skill sets and strength…same thing would have happened in one more year of ACC action.
The bullets shouldn't of taken him
They have the same exact player in Trevor Booker. I mean literally, they are the same type of player, both a little undersized for the 4 position in the NBA, and both played the 5 spot in college as opposed to the 4 where they would be in the NBA. The bullets have already worked with Booker to start transforming his game to where he is a little more affective as an NBA 4, so why do it again?
Booker and Jordan are not very similar, actually
Besides the fact that they’re both undersized for a PF.
Booker is much more athletic, has a better jump shot and can defend all the way out to the 3-point line.
Jordan is much more of a banger inside with not much of a face-up game and not anywhere close to athletic.
Right, so in Booker
They have what they want to develop in Jordan. Why draft somebody to develop into what you already have?
Precisely why Jordan should have spent two more years at Maryland...
…to develop the skillsets he needs at the NBA level.
He can go play over seas...
just like 4 year player James Gist…
Is that where he ended up?
I know he was drafted by the Spurs but heard nothing after that
Yeah, he's in Europe - forget where, probably Turkey or Serbia
He comes back every year for the Summer League with the Spurs, does well, doesn’t get a look, and goes back to Europe.
Sounds about right for NBA summer leagues
For most teams it is just there “oh yeah we have a D-League team” looks where they send their 1st round picks to get extra playing time and that is all they are good for. I’ve heard the Spurs actually have a really good D-League team though and manage things really well, so might be why he has never come up if everyone is that talented on the team.
booker's actually still a wizard and on their roster.
he fought for playing time a bit last season with his hustle and apparently they appreciate his intensity this year. he get PT. they’ve only won a couple games but booker is in there.
umm... delete that last comment
glossed past the mention of gist.
he's in serbia
plays on the same team that jan vesely used to play on
by terpsrule917 on Jan 20, 2012 1:15 AM EST up reply actions
This Might Be the Dumbest Opening Sentence I've Ever Heard
No he didn’t have to go… Everyone was telling him to stay and get another year of experience and work on his game some more. Just like NY said, he only listed to one person and that was George Washington.. and essentially ruined his career.
This year, he would of been in the first round with guaranteed money. Now, he’s down in Po-honk towns playing basketball and the vanishing act will begin.
I hate to see that happen to the guy, but he went against all advice.. If it was one person saying stay, then I can see him wanting to go.. but when there is a majority telling you to stay… I think that’s why God gave us two ears and one mouth… He needed to listen.
by HotplateWilliams on Jan 18, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Really??? 1st Round
JWill at 6’ 7" – 6’8" Please tell me without your Terp colored tell me which one of these players he would get drafted over in the NBA.
Andre Drummond
Anthony Davis
Jared Sullinger
Thomas Robinson
Arnett Moultrie
Perry Jones
John Henson
Meyers Leonard
Patric Young
Tyler Zeller
Mason Plumlee
Alex Oriakhi
This is also not including the int’l players that I don’t know about that alway shoot up the board in the spring.
These are the projected 1st rounders this year, all of whom are taller than JWill. And before you holler about Plumlee, which is the only one that remotely makes sense, realize that JWill and Plumlee would be drafted to rebound and that is it. Plumlee is better defensively and athletically.
Either way you look at it, JWill’s game was not going to get that much better. Has wasn’t going to develop a jumper all of a sudden or anything. His draft class was weaker, giving him the highest possible draft position, smart move on his part.
by Jeffro78 on Jan 18, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I don't think he would have gone first round either.
I think he was a 4 year player and so did Gary ala Lonny Baxter. So you are comparing him to the wrong guys in my world. I think he was just one of those guys that needed 4 years at the college level to truly polish his game and have any sort of meaningful NBA career.
If his intention was to leave after his Jr year I can understand the logic, but I still think it was flawed. He thought he was gonna get lucky and slip in the backdoor with a weak draft. But it was an all or nothing solution. That’s not gambling, that’s Russian roulette. A smart gambler still has money left on the table after a hand.
Fear the Turgle!
Great point on the 2012 draft class
He definitely would of had to wait for the 2013 draft to come out if he stayed.
hoping he turns it around.
they are fine at the power forward position though. humphries is actually very, very good. he’s really underrated. i was hoping they wouldn’t resign him to save some money and jordan would get a shot to start… too bad.
why did he not stay in shape? i don’t get that. dozens of players were doing everything to stay competitive.
And JWill can be made a prime example of why not to enter the NBA draft
We can use this for the next 10 years to show our underclassmen not to go pro until their game can’t get any better.
EXACTLY.....
His departure will pay us big dividends in the near future. With all the foreseeable talent on its way in, it’s a perfect example to the kids to stay in school…. until they are truly ready.
One argument though...
…if jwill had stayed padget wouldnt be getting near the time he is , so he probably wouldnt be the major turnaround success story that he is right now.
2yrs for 1mil guaranteed
and u dont have to take classes anymore…Who would sign up for that??? ME ME ME ME
I am pretty sure JW knew there was a 95% chance he would wind up overseas after 2yrs and last time i check Drew Nicholas isnt going for broke outside America….The league is all these players dream but he will always have the ability to make $$$ for atleast 10 more yrs which would be greater than any amt of money we all accomplish maybe in our lifetimes.
Make a million, spend a million
Unless you’re smart with the money, making a million over the short term is still not a life plan. Even if you talk 10 years, it’s only any good if he leads a normal, middle class lifestyle otherwise, which won’t happen.
He’ll spend like he’s making more, and sooner or later it’ll all be gone and he’ll have to find a normal job. At 30, with no degree and no experience.
by Nihonterp on Jan 18, 2012 8:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
C'mon Man
That money is long gone by now. 1 mil? probably cleared $500k after taxes and his agent…. Let’s see, SUV_ $70k, aftermarket add-ons_ $20k, Diamond earrings $20k, BigAss gold chain$12k, Condo/Apt for 2 years $48k, Rental Center Furniture & 80" LED for 2 years_$24k, New Wardrobe $30k, New Found friends $50k, Old Lost friends popping up left and right $20k, Investments with people that have no ideal what the hell they’re doing, but have promised to double his money in six months__ $200k. Okay… that’s $494,000. That leaves $6k for 2 years. He is living below the poverty level. But then again…. what the hell do I know???
by TwerpsNoMore on Jan 18, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
lol, exactly
$6k should be enough to pay for McD’s for 2 years. Or maybe BK if he’s feeling fancy. ;)
He's "living the dream" in the "D" soon to be Irish league - don't be a "hater" - LOLZ
You make my pee-pee maker t-t-tingle.
by Hey Yo! on Jan 18, 2012 7:05 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Best trade idea ever.
Zards should trade Blatche and Lewis to the Nets for JW.
by Terp924 on Jan 18, 2012 9:35 PM EST via Android app reply actions
I'm in,
Particularly Lewis’s ridiculous $$$$
by Terp2B on Jan 18, 2012 10:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yea, we might need to throw in a bit more for them to take on that albatross. They can have Nick Young too, why not.
by Terp924 on Jan 18, 2012 10:22 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
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