Illini Alumni News: A (Late) Congratulations to NBA All Star Deron Williams

With Rashard Mendenhall getting his share of bad press lately, we've overlooked what the other outstanding Illini #5 has accomplished in his pro career.  Congratulations are in order to Deron Williams on being selected to his second straight NBA All Star Game.  Deron is having yet another great season for the struggling Jazz, averaging 21.9 ppg and (only) 9.5 apg (down from his last three years in which he has averaged double digit assists).  Unfortunately despite many NBA analysts estimates that Deron, during last year's playoffs, has "passed" Chris Paul, he will come off the bench to starting point guard, you guessed it, Chris Paul.

After being drafted ahead of Chris Paul in the 2005 NBA draft, Deron had the inevitable fate of having to answer if he was "better" than CP3.  After dismantling him in 2004 at Assembly Hall (in my opinion, still the greatest REGULAR SEASON game I have ever seen) and holding a head-to-head NBA record of 14-5, he is still hearing these questions.  After hearing that analysts said Deron was better last year (during the NBA playoffs) I thought the questions would end.  But seeing CP3 voted ahead of him this year had me thinking "here we go again..."

My biggest objection?  I don't believe Deron was ever "behind" CP3.  Their head-to-head record shows that plus he was drafted one spot earlier and accomplished more in college (sure he played 3 years to CP3's 1, but still).  Yes CP3 was rookie of the year, but Deron played very limited minutes his rookie season.  On top of that, they are completely different players and its like comparing apples to oranges.  Its also worth nothing that CP3 was injured last year.  So while Deron was making headlines in the playoffs, CP3 was in rehab, not slumping.  So how can Deron "pass" a guy when the other guy is injured?  Unfair comparisons on both sides...  The truth is CP3 is very much back.  And him being back and playing at a high level will only push Deron to be a better player himself.  Thats the only thing I like about these comparisons.  They will push each player to be better, for there's nothing I like seeing better on any level of basketball than good point guard play,  unless that point guard is Talor Battle.

In fact, the only thing these two players have in common, in my book, is that their college programs have been struggling mightily since they've left.  To be fair, Wake Forest's is much more tragic and Illinois' is much pathetic.  But I'm getting off topic.  Yes, both are very good players, on both sides of the ball, and both should be congratulated for great seasons so far.  The comparisons will continue to push each other and entertain fans for many years to come.  But that's as far as I'm willing to "compare" the two destined to be compared forever.  Lets let Deron have his moment without CP3.  (I'm aware of the irony that I mentioned CP3 a bunch of times in a Deron article... sue me)

So from Illini nation: Congrats to Deron Williams on his second straight All-Star selection.