Terp Talk – Maryland Sports

Yes –one could certainly make the case that had Jordan Williams returned to Maryland he would have been a 1st round pick next year. But he didn’t and that’s that. However, Avery Johnson wanted him on the NJ Nets and the reat is history. Jordan should get to play for Avery johnson. Here is an analysis of the pick from espn.com:

PLAYER: Jordan Williams
SCHOOL: Maryland
POSITION: Power forward
HEIGHT: 6-9
WEIGHT: 250

WHAT IT MEANS: When your starting center (Brook Lopez) only averages 6.0 rebounds per game — the lowest amount ever for a big man who played at least 35 minutes a game in a season — then you need to draft a physical presence and dominant rebounder. With a second-round selection, that type of player you select is Williams, who averaged a double-double last season at Maryland (16.9 ppg and 11.8 rpg). Outside of Kris Humphries, who eventually took over the starting four spot full-time halfway through the season, the Nets didn’t have a reliable banger and boarder off the bench. Williams gives Nets head coach Avery Johnson a chance to breathe a bit lighter whenever a shot goes up.

HOW HE FITS IN: Now that rookie power forward Derrick Favors is gone — he was traded to Utah along with point guard Devin Harris — Williams fills a hole as Humphries’ back-up. After the Nets finished as one of the worst teams in the league last season (24-58), Williams will get plenty of opportunities to earn minutes in training camp.

PROJECTED IMPACT: Six points and six rebounds per game, averaging around 15 minutes per game. While Williams’ outside shot, and especially his free throw shooting is inconsistent, he’s big enough with very good hands to find his way around the rim. By 2012-13, expect him to be close to double-digit averages in points and boards.