<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Marcus Williams (broken right foot) continues to make progress. Another X-ray confirmed all is well. He is doing double workouts daily - pool in the mornings, shooting in the afternoon/evenings - and could move on to more court work, beyond shooting as soon as today.</div></p> http://www.nypost.com/seven/11012007/sport...ates_657514.htm</p> Nice, he seems to be coming along nicely although Darell Armstrong was superb yesterday.</p> </p>
Last year Marcus was basically the only choice at the backup point (aside from Vince). This year Frank can go still go to Armstrong, who is a much better defender. Is Marcus going to get any minutes when he returns or is he going to be plastered on the end of the bench b/c he doesn't play any defense?</p>
Marcus has became more slimmer, so don't worry about his defense, at least, he is better than last year.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Charles)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Last year Marcus was basically the only choice at the backup point (aside from Vince). This year Frank can go still go to Armstrong, who is a much better defender. Is Marcus going to get any minutes when he returns or is he going to be plastered on the end of the bench b/c he doesn't play any defense?</p> </div></p> Marcus is only 22 (? . . . 21 soon to be 22?) and has only a single year of NBA experience. Every part of his game is evolving, and rather quickly at that. Just because he was poor defensively last season doesn't mean he will be as poor or even poor defensively this season. Careful observation showed that his defense improved substantially over the course of last year. He was a noticably better defender in April than he was in November.Add that with the weight loss and extra work he put in over the summer, and it's safe to assume he will be a better defender this year than last.</p> If he is marginally acceptable defensively and has made the strides in judgment that you expect from someone that offensively gifted who worked hard (and drew praise from everyone in the organization) over the summer, he should still get the bulk of early-season (at least) minutes at backup point. His combination of quick release, silky jumper, in-lane floaters, herky-jerky dribble moves, and tremendous passing technique and court vision clearly take him from the realm of "steady", "blend in" players to the realm of MAJOR impact players. Part of the risk with impact players is that they have a negative impact when they are off. But I expect Marcus to have far fewer "off" moments this year than last, and that's all it should take to give him 15-20 minutes a game with the reins in his hands.</p> Frankly I'm at a loss to understand why more posters (here and elsewhere) don't see his exceptional talent. Sure he had a lot of rough edges last year, and I'm certain he's not filed them all off over one summer. But he, far more than any other player, was responsible for making Boone look like a great pickup the last half of last year. And, likewise, Hassan Adams never looked so good on the floor as he did when Marcus had the ball. I live for the day (well, not really) that he is given time with Sean Williams and Boone in the game at the same time. Dollars to donuts people will be raving the next day about what a great young frontcourt we have.</p> None of this is to disparage Armstrong, whom I love as a player. I have every confidence he will make crucial contributions to the team over the course of the season. I also see no reason that Armstrong and Marcus can't play together, just as Marcus and Kidd played together last year and just as Armstrong and Kidd played a few minutes together last night. Armstrong, IMO, would be best used in a couple of 5 minute stretches each half when the Nets need a jolt of energy and want to ratchet up their full court defense. End of second and late third/early fourth quarters sounds about right to me.</p> But, until and unless Marcus proves he hasn't gotten any better, I want to see him handle the point 90% of the time Kidd is on the bench.</p> </p> </p>
the good thing for marcus is that he is not really needed right now beacuse DA is here so we dont need to rush him back. this is his first injury and he is young and right now is the future of our PG position so he can take his time and come back 100%. hes not in the position like RJ felt he needed to come back asap and was never 100% when he came back, but with DA marcus can come back 100% and be effective for us.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Frankly I'm at a loss to understand why more posters (here and elsewhere) don't see his exceptional talent.</p> </div></p> Because Marcus isn't as good as you think he is</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Frankly I'm at a loss to understand why more posters (here and elsewhere) don't see his exceptional talent.</p> </div></p> Because Marcus isn't as good as you think he is</p> </p> </div></p> I can always count on you to objectify things. Thanks for clearing that up.</p> </p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Frankly I'm at a loss to understand why more posters (here and elsewhere) don't see his exceptional talent.</p> </div></p> Because Marcus isn't as good as you think he is</p> </p> </div></p> I can always count on you to objectify things. Thanks for clearing that up.</p> </div></p> </p> Always happy to point out that the giants you see are really windmills</p>
I bet he's eager to get back after watching the season opener. You can't deny it was an exciting game.</p>
The thing that separates Williams is his vision, his ability to pass on the go. When Frank's running his one(mistake) and done tyraid, it hurts Williams' growth, he always has to look over his shoulder and bear the burden of not taking a risk because of fear. I think Frank needs to give this guy a role and say you know what, we'll ball you for this much in the first half, then we'll see in the 2nd half depending on matchups. Frank needs to address William's role, he needs to unleash the guy, let him look forward, not backwards. Darrell is here for his leadership and defense, I'd love it if we use him sparingly over the course of the season(ala SA with Horry), then just unleash the guy in the playoffs....surprise. I can see Armstrong playing some when Kidd has tough PG matchups.</p>
[quote name='cpawfan']</p> [quote name='FOMW']</p> [quote name='cpawfan']</p> [quote name='FOMW']</p> Frankly I'm at a loss to understand why more posters (here and elsewhere) don't see his exceptional talent.</p> [/QUOTE]</p> Because Marcus isn't as good as you think he is</p> </p> [/QUOTE]</p> I can always count on you to objectify things. Thanks for clearing that up.</p> [/QUOTE]</p> </p> Always happy to point out that the giants you see are really windmills</p> [/QUOTE]</p> </p> Are you going to sing again?</p> </p> </p>
Sing, did you say sing</p> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i1vH2rjUshk&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i1vH2rjUshk&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div></p>
Last year I saw Marcus pound the ball into the floor on the offensive side and constantly get beat for easy baskets on the defensive side. I was expecting that on the defensive side, but imo he was a huge dissapointment on the offensive side. If I remember correctly, he couldn't get off the bench in the playoffs.</p>
Offensively, Williams is a much better option than Armstrong at this late stage of Darrell's career, so it's good to see he's coming back. His court vision is impressive, he's a decent shooter anddespite the fact that he was a tad selfish at times last season, I think it's becausehewas a rookie and he wanted to prove himself. As for defense:</p> The thing with defense that many people don't understand is that 50% of good defense is hard work. 25% is experience/court smarts, 15% is natural talent/instictand 10% is atheltic ability. If you give 100% on defense,even if you have slow feet you're gonna be effective. Look at Jason Collins, for example. I'm not a big fan of him, nor have I ever been, but you can't deny that defensively he's very solid despite the fact that he can barely outjump a sumo. Defense isn't just aboutblocking shots or stealing balls. Defense is slowing down the opposition and forcing them to take tough shots or make bad passes. Darrell Armstrong is nearly 40 years old, he'slost most ofhis athletic abilitybut he still gives 100% on defense and uses his experience to his advantage. Until Marcus Williams proves to me that he can give it his all on BOTH ends of the floor, I prefer Armstrong as the backup point guard. You may call me crazy, but that's just my opinion. Maybe Marcus will prove me wrong. If he really has "improved his defense", then I'll gladly accept him as Kidd's backup. As I said, good defense is about desire and determination, wanting to stop the opposition and working hard to do so. I trust Frank enough to give him the benefit of doubt when it comes to who plays and why. I know that if Williams shows that he's willing to get dirty and work hard on defense, he'll get the minutes he deserves. If he doesn't, he still needs to get minutes (in order to help him develop), but not too much until he shows desire to improve. I don't mean that Marcus needs to become a defensive stopper in order to get minutes (not everybody can, after all) but he shouldn't be a liability, either.</p>
Who knows, Kobi...maybe Darrell could light a fire under Marcus, and get him to play good defense. Hopefully, Marcus actually tries to play defense this season, and Frank employs his "no defense, no minutes" rule.</p> Until then, I'd be perfectly content with Darrell manning the point until Marcus gets his act together.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Who knows, Kobi...maybe Darrell could light a fire under Marcus, and get him to play good defense. Hopefully, Marcus actually tries to play defense this season, and Frank employs his "no defense, no minutes" rule.</p> Until then, I'd be perfectly content with Darrell manning the point until Marcus gets his act together.</p> </div></p> That's exactly what I hope happens. Armstrong and Kidd are both experienced, both are great defenders and they can really help Marcus and get him to give more effort on defense. Hopefully, Marcus will learn some tips and play with more desire on defense.</p> </p>
Imagine going small with 3 point guards. -or- a small lineup of DA/MW with Wright/Boki/XBig Because DA is part coach, It would benefit Marcus' game to get chewed out by DA. I'm not worried about Marcus though, when he realizes what he needs to do to help his team he'll improve by leaps and bounds. Also if I'm not mistaken, wasn't he called the best player in the gym not named Boki this summer?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW)</div><div class='quotemain'> But I expect Marcus to have far fewer "off" moments this year than last, and that's all it should take to give him 15-20 minutes a game with the reins in his hands.</p></div> </p> a bit too much I think. 8-12 minutes under adult supervision. Frank is not gonna let the kid take the car until he's real sure he can drive.
Marcus, please return as soon as possible, we need you very badly. I believe you will surprise us just like Boki or 'Toine. And you will learn many things from DA.</p>
