Is Jason “White Chocolate” Williams Headed to Israel?
Josh Childress blazed the trail, and every day since he signed with Olympiakos (Greece), we’ve heard rumors and speculation about other current, American NBA players either headed to Europe or weighing offers from other overseas teams. The latest is Jason Williams.
Depending on who you listen to, there’s definitely mutual interest between J-Will and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel), or J-Will has already signed; we’re not quote sure exactly how close a deal is at the moment. Maccabi is one of the world’s premier non-NBA teams. They’ve traveled to MSG for exhibition games against the Knicks in recent years and drawn huge crowds, and the current roster includes Marcus Fizer, Esteban Batista and Rodney White. Maccabi is looking for a PG after overseas vet Will Bynum decided to come to the NBA and inked a deal with the Pistons.
Where would this leave the Miami Heat? After missing out on a few coveted point guards in free agency over the past couple of years (they almost landed Mo Williams last summer), they’d be left with Marcus Banks, rookie Mario Chalmers, and unsigned FA Chris Quinn if Williams leaves.
Dwyane Wade is the primarily ball-handler regardless, but if you’re Pat Riley, do you ride with Banks/Chalmers/Quinn, or try to sign another point guard?
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August 1st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
jimmhumm says:
keep whit eboy please. Chalmers is better than banks but overall the back ups are good as smush.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
I seen chalmers in summer league and dude can be a solid starting point one day. We all know he can shoot he lights out in crunch time…i.e. Kansas v. Memphis. But now I see he can also play mad “D”
August 1st, 2008 at 2:05 pm
ERIC says:
i was hoping JWill was gonna go back to Sacramento and bust out the old White Chocolate moves
August 1st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
the mamba says:
Im sure if riles still wants mo, he can get him
August 1st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I’d ride w Banks and Chalmers. I think they are both capable pgs.
Banks is a streaky shooter and can be a nightmare on D.
Chalmers is packed with potential.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Blue says:
i would try to keep j-dub for one more year and let chalmers develop. he’s gonna be pretty bad one day…maybe not CP3 or D-Will level, but good enough for a championship!
j-dub still has flashes of brilliance. with beasley, a healty wade and marion…all j-will has to do is make sure he doesn’t fuck up!
August 1st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Chaos says:
Chalmers will be a solid point and since D-Wade is your primary ball handler it gives him a chance to still learn the NBA game. marcus banmks maybe able to start but wuill eventually lose out to chalmers anyway. i dont think they will go too hard at williams depending on how much maccabi offers
August 1st, 2008 at 3:47 pm
GsusX says:
no way you bring quinn back… kid isnt even d-league material… bring in pargo or arroyo (depending on how serious his calf injury is). i think chalmers will do well in this league but you gotta have a vet to help ease him in and share minutes
August 1st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
daquest?on says:
here they are saying that the heat are really interested in arroyo, which i think is a good idea because arroyo is a decent point guard, and riley would keep him in line. Also there are alot of latinos in miami which would help sales. Most ppl dont know but arroyo helped sell out magic games when the magic sucked and helped sell jerseys and all that good stuff
August 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Wanabballer says:
I am with Eric… Bring back WHITE CHOCOLATE to the Kings… I can already see the half court alley-oops to Donte…!!
August 1st, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Diego says:
Arroyo would be a great signing. He would fill seats like he did in Orlando and perhaps he could regain his early Utah form.
At least early in his career, White Chocolate was a jerk, so if he goes to Israel, it could just a matter of time before he gets the boot for crass behavior. (Plus White Chocolate just does not seem to have much left in the tank basketball-wise.)
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:19 am
Dave says:
Chalmers should start
Banks isn’t a capable backup but he’s worth a shot because you’re paying him anyway and there’s no better options in free agency.
Jason Williams is a 3rd string point at this stage in his career. Similar situation performance wise as Damon Stoudamire 12 months. Far too inconsistent, atrocious defense and his offensive game has slipped too far.
Williams will have a better shot at being a useful player in Europe.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
doc says:
Europe probaly payhim the most so he should go there.He done in the NBA anyway.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
AB_40 says:
no, they just signes carlos arroyo
August 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
DC_UNC says:
i dont know if there is any confusion, but they did sign a 6’6″ small forward named Jason Williams from another israeli team Bnei Hasharon. besides, they already signed Carlos Arroyo from Orlando and the Puerto Rican National Team to play PG for them. if they were going to bring in another american player, they would probably look at a different position.