[marcusfizer21Participant]

 I remember years back when Jerry Sloan decided to quit on the Utah Jazz and part of me refused to believe it was because of D-Will. Well, IBB, you are right. He was indeed a diva, an arrogant and self-righteous athlete. You were right all along. 

I just read somewhere that they squashed their beef, which was good. But I can’t help thinking that what you said, all of it was actually hundred percent true. damn!

 

[BrentSuriaga01Participant]

By the way, where has he been. The last time I saw him was in the Finals vs. Warriors where he looked like a lost puppy whenever he’s on the court. 

[butidonthavemoney]

I think most of us that followed the Jazz knew the story, even though nobody in the organization explicitly stated what happened. Most of the speculation in those topics was pretty accurate.

I recall being in several arguments with other posters in the "Who’s the top point guard in the NBA?" debate though. Back in that 2009-2011 period, most of us had Chris Paul and Deron Williams as the top two players at that position in the league. I always tried to support Williams in those debates without explicitly claiming he was better. The most common position I’d take was "Too many people think Paul is obviously better, but any intelligent follower of the NBA could make an argument for either."

IndianaBasketball and I got into it once, arguing whether or not Deron Williams chucking the ball at a young Gordon Hayward (who was about two weeks into his rookie season) for botching a play was a sign of poor leadership or not.

 Seven and a half years later, I think I’m finally mature enough to admit that I was biased and IndianaBasketball was right; Deron Williams was not the positive leader I saw him as.

While I’m here, the one dude who always took up arms and fought me on the Paul/Williams debate was JNixon. You were also right. Sorry for being so dramatic back then, you know how fanboys get.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Cant believe I thought Williams was going to have a better career than Paul. Also thought Rose would be better than Westbrook after that MVP season.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Wow . . . That was seven and a half years ago lol. We’re getting old. 

I remember watching that game live and I could tell by the body language of the majority of the players and coaches, that they were completely turned off by Deron Williams. Especially Jerry Sloan. 

As a point guard, you’re the leader of your team and the coach on the floor. You have to lift players up, not put them down. Everybody is human and makes mistakes, but I was completely convinced after that game that Williams’ leadership was questionable and he was clearly a d*ck head. I never cared for him as a player after that. 

When Sloan resigned, I knew Williams played a huge role in it. Maybe he didn’t force Sloan out, but he was definitely the straw that broke the camel’s back. 

[no skillsParticipant]

deron just burned sloan out. but sloan had been burning out for years. his health was questionable i think.  something that i dont think helped is not having larry miller around, larry was the owner and had no issue being hands on. and larry had the same mindset as sloan. i dont think sloan had the kind of hands on support he needed and it wore on him. deron figured out the grass was not greener on the other side of the fence. it was hard seeing sloan burn out like that. sloan was an amazing coach. and can you believe sloan never got coach of the year? i am glad they got things patched up between them because sadly sloan might not be around for too much longer the way his health seems to be. 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 The coach was used to dealing with John Stockton as his point guard and team leader and it’s just my opinion but Williams was no Stockton on or off the court.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 The coach was used to dealing with John Stockton as his point guard and team leader and it’s just my opinion but Williams was no Stockton on or off the court.

[Author]

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