A fresh start could not have come at a better time for Marvin Williams.
For the previous six season, Williams languished between a breakout performer with range and trying to slide out from underneath the microscope after the Atlanta Hawks selected him as the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft after one season at North Carolina.
His 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game career average did not exactly screem perennial all-star in the ATL and it also did not help having to hear year-in and year-out how Deron Williams, Chris Paul and even Andrew Bynum were selected after Williams. That is why Williams is probably glad to close that chapter of his young career and write a new story with the Utah Jazz.
The trouble is, it is not that easy.
New team. New city. Same old questions about “expectations”.
Williams is not having it.
"People talk a lot about expectations and living up to expectations," Williams said in an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, "but I hit them up with the million dollar question every time. My question is: Whose expectations do I have to live up to?"
During the offseason, Utah made some million dollar moves of their own by revamping their roster after getting bounced by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. First priority: take a page from the Spurs. The Jazz named Dennis Lindsey their new GM, who added some vets — Williams, Mo Williams, Randy Foye — to go alongside a talented young core.
Yet it is Marvin Williams who is perhaps the most intriguing addition of them all.
He certainly brings versatility to Utah’s offense, spreads the floor, can rebound and takes care of the ball. You have to look at it this way: Williams is a big upgrade from Josh Howard. But will the fresh start in Utah really be the chance for Williams to leave behind the stigma that’s followed him from season to season?
"I don’t have to live up to anybody’s expectations but my own," he said. "I have to look at myself in the mirror every night. And when I do that, I’m very satisfied with where I came from and what I’m working toward."
Well said.
This very easily could be the season to “expect” a career-season for Williams.
Will Marvin Williams break out this season in Utah? Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Twitter by using the hashtag #JazzDay.
