Derrick Williams of the New York Knicks (Photo : Photo: Twitter)
At just 24-years-old, Derrick Williams has closely been associated with the long line of college All-Americans who just couldn't transition their game to the NBA.
Williams was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the 2nd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but never fully established proper traction toward fulfilling his basketball potential.
By the start of the 2013-14 season, he was traded to a young Sacramento Kings squad as way of growing with a team where his services are badly needed.
Despite showing glimpses of his scoring abilities here and there, the former Arizona Wildcat never really established himself in the team's system, which led to his removal.
To sum it all up, Williams is slowly bearing the title of a draft bust.
Today, Derrick Williams looks to find home in the Big Apple, and be part of a proven system that's based on correct spacing, ball movement, and smart reactions.
This pre-season, Williams has put up decent shots en route to making 15-of-23 from the field and 12-of-12 from the stripe for 44 points in the New York Knicks' last two preseason games.
"I just try to be dynamic," the 6'8" forward said. "I just try to be all over the court. I think that's what coach wants me to do. I take on the challenge of playing two or three spots."
On paper, the fifth-year forward has the tools to develop into a credible two-way player that can give the opposing team fits.
He has the soft touch from the perimeter, as well as the hops and the quickness to slash to the rim.
On defense, he can cover guys from two to four; a vital cog in today's pick-and-roll-heavy offensive system.
One glaring thing that's missing, though, is his basketball IQ.
"A player like Derrick will never really always necessarily be in the right spot because his instincts tell him something else," Williams' coach, Derek Fisher shared.
Fisher continued: "We have to trust that and find a balance between giving Derrick, as well as all of our players, the room to be who they are, but have some balance when it's time to format and take some time to execute as a five-man unit."
As he gradually reaches his potential with the New York Knicks, Williams can provide much-needed scoring off the bench in an offense that embraces equal opportunity - a stark contrast from his previous teams.
"When I got drafted, they picked me, I didn't pick them," he stated. "I chose to be here. As soon as I was done with the meeting, I called my agent, 10 minutes after the meeting I said 'I'm signing up.'"
Derrick Williams concluded: "I was 19-years-old going against grown men. I'm 24 now. I still have a lot of room to grow."
