FILE – Guard Jason Williams #44 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball upcourt during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Charlotte Bobcats during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Retired NBA player Jason Williams marveled at how the point guard position has evolved in today’s game.
Williams, one of the most exciting guards to watch during his heyday, couldn’t help but be in awe of the current NBA point guards, who have taken the game to greater heights.
“The skills of the guard today, it’s crazy to me that the way they can score and how far they can shoot,” said Williams during his media availability and meet and greet on Friday at NBA Store Philippines in Mandaluyong.
Williams was the prototypical point guard, whose primary role was to set up the offense and get his teammates involved.
In today’s game, point guards like Steph Curry, Damian Lillard and Trae Young among others, are best known for their offensive firepower rather than their playmaking.
Asked who among the current NBA players remind him of himself, Williams said Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball resembles his game “a little bit.”
“I don’t think any of them played like I played. Maybe LaMelo Ball a little bit. But the guys are so good and they can score 30 points every night so it’s different. I would never score 30,” said Williams, who won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.
Williams, who was drafted seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings in 1998, was a basketball wizard with a knack for flashy assists and his nifty ball handling.
“I think there are just a lot more guys doing it nowadays as opposed to when I was playing. There weren’t too many guys that were doing it. Plus these guys are so good, they can do anything,” said Williams, who is also fondly known as “White Chocolate.”
The 47-year-old Williams, who played for the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies as well during a 13-year career, also gave advice for players who are trying to emulate his game, particularly his dazzling dimes.
“I would say if you wanna do things like that, like behind-the-back passes, you have to practice that stuff too. It’s not like you can just go out on the floor and do it in a game. I think you have to put in the work just like shooting, dribbling, defense, and everything else,” the former NBA All-Rookie Team member said.
“The things I did took a lot of practice to learn. I practice passing behind my back just like how Steph Curry practices his jump shots,” he added.
Williams is in town to grace the return of NBA 3X Philippines, which features an under-19 and open division for boys and girls and open category, over the weekend at Mall of Asia.