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Point guard Williams might have what it takes to give Cavs first title
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Oct 04, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: When asked about new point guard Mo Williams, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown had a quick reply: ''He looks easier to guard.''
Williams, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks, lit up the Cavaliers last season. In four appearances against the Cavs, Williams, 25, averaged 26 points, shot 50 percent and averaged nine assists. He averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists per game overall last season.
Some fans and NBA experts contend that Williams, whom General Manager Danny Ferry acquired in August, might be the missing piece in a puzzle that gives the Cavaliers their first NBA title.
''That's what they say. I think this team was pretty [darn] good without me, so I'm just trying to fit in a little bit and bring my talent to an already talented team,'' said Williams, who is entering his sixth season in the NBA. ''I think a lot of guys do a lot of different things well, and I think we have one of the greats, so I think that only helps the transition for myself.''
Yes, playing with LeBron James will make things easier, but there still will be a transitional period, primarily because the Bucks played a freewheeling offense with a defense-optional mentality.
It sounds as if Williams, who played his rookie season with the Utah Jazz, craves that type of structure.
''It's a difference. It's a different atmosphere obviously, but at the same time playing for a coach that's really specific on details isn't new to me,'' he said.
''Going back to [Jazz coach] Jerry Sloan, that was the last coach that really knew his craft and [taught] me. I'm having fun again playing the game, so it is different.''
Brown's system with the Cavs stresses defense first.
''In a system, you find your spots and a system is supposed to help you excel in your game, so I'm going to be in the same situation I was in Milwaukee,'' he said. ''But I'm going to know where guys are on the floor and I'm going to know where to be on the floor in situations.''
He doesn't think getting to know James' game will be a problem.
''It won't take long. It's easy to develop chemistry with LeBron; he's a great player,'' Williams said. ''Just give him the ball. Realistically, we're going to have to get our thing down. That's the communication we're doing right now; even in practice.''
James expressed a lot of respect for Williams.
''Mo Williams is an unbelievable talent,'' James said. ''If you could watch any film of what he did to us last year in four games, it was like, 'Wow, I didn't know if he had something against us or he was sending us a smoke signal to go get him in a trade.' He sent a good signal though.''
Brown said Williams has shown something in a short time with the team.
''He's a terrific shooter. He's a guy who can create off the dribble for himself or for his teammates,'' Brown said. ''Just from the short amount of time that I've been with him, he seems like he has a nice grasp on the game. He's intelligent and other things will come out as we go along, but he's all the things that sitting on the other side of the floor and getting torched by him I had a feel for anyway.''
Scrimmage at Rhodes
The Cavaliers will hold their annual Wine & Gold Scrimmage at noon today at Rhodes Arena. A fanfest will begin at 11 a.m. with appearances by the Cavaliers Girls, the Scream Team and the team mascot, Moondog.
James rocks vote
James, along with the Browns' Willie McGinest and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, will appear at the Ohio Campaign for Change rally at 3 p.m. at Willard Park at Ninth Street and Lakeside Avenue to promote voter registration.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net.
INDEPENDENCE: When asked about new point guard Mo Williams, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown had a quick reply: ''He looks easier to guard.''
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