When news broke out that Derrick Williams was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 10-day deal, mixed reactions came about from fans and pundits alike.
Williams isn’t the playmaker nor the rim protector that many believed the Cavs needed, but after two games, he has been a pleasant surprise for everyone rooting for the Wine and Gold. In 21 minutes per game for coach Tyronn Lue, the player selected after Kyrie Irving in the 2011 draft has been bringing his own brand of energy to Cleveland.
After two contests, Williams is averaging 9.5 points per game. But more importantly, he provides the team with a strong and athletic wing presence that was erstwhile nowhere to be found outside of LeBron James.
The 25-year-old is already on his fifth team in six years, but this experience is a completely different one as Williams is playing for the first time under a winning situation.
“Atmosphere was great, man. I hadn’t experienced anything like that since I’ve been in the NBA. Just taking it all in. Just trying to help this team win. That’s what I’m here for. Just play with energy, play with effort, play with efficiency and try to get a win. That’s why I’m here.”
“I kind of put myself in this predicament. I asked for the release from the last team, and I put myself in a 10-day. So I’m not worried about anything after that. I just want to take every day at a time and put myself in a position I’ve never been in, and that’s what I want to do, and that’s why I chose to come here.”
With what the Cavs have been enjoying thus far out of Derrick Williams, don’t be surprised if he ends up being with the team for the rest of the year, and possibly guarding the Kevin Durants and Draymond Greens of the NBA come June, should the basketball Gods permit.