Can Deron Williams Get Along in Dallas?

By Reid Hanson | Sep 4, 2015

Deron Williams’ talent is unquestionable, but it’s his attitude that seems to always fall under question. Today we ask, “Can Deron Williams get along in Dallas?”

The Dallas Mavericks have been searching for a point guard ever since Jason Kidd jettisoned following the 2011 championship season. Last season, the Mavs thought they found their long sought-after PG in Rajon Rondo.

In what first appeared to be, “the trade of the season”, quickly became a match made in hell when Rondo and head coach Rick Carlisle endlessly butted heads. The months of disagreement finally culminated in one sad flameout during the playoffs. It was such an unrepairable situation that the Mavs essentially told the former All-Star to just go home.

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The Mavs played the rest of the playoff series sans Rondo and the rest is history. This isn’t the first time a guard has clashed with Rick Carlisle and it probably won’t be the last. Even the future Hall of Famer, Jason Kidd, had some monumental disagreements with Carlisle, so it only makes sense we worry about how a known combative like Deron Williams will get along.

Deron Williams has played for two teams in his professional career. Both situations he departed on fairly poor terms.

In Utah, Deron Williams quickly established himself as one of the top point guards in the NBA. He was so good, he was mentioned with Chris Paul as the very best of all point guards. But everything came crashing down after repeated fights with Hall of Fame head coach Jerry Sloan.

According to Utah Jazz owner, Greg Miller, Deron Williams continuously fought with Sloan in practice and during games. In short, Williams was disrespectful and didn’t follow Sloan’s in-game play-calls. Sloan finally had enough and retired, midseason, rather than spend another day alongside Williams.

Only two weeks after Jerry Sloan retired, the Jazz traded their All-Star point guard, seemingly recognizing he was the real problem. Greg Miller recently came clean on the whole situation here.

Playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Williams’ attitude and demeanor were said to have worn on his teammates as well, predominantly Joe Johnson.

The Nets searched trade options for Williams and Johnson, but at the end of the day, they chose to buyout Deron Williams’ contract. In other words, they paid him to just go home. Sound familiar?

Now Deron Williams is in Dallas, playing for one of the most intolerant head coaches in the NBA. Write it down, Rick Carlisle will not cave to Deron Williams for a second. He will not tolerate freelancing or disrespect. He sent his starting point guard home in the playoffs for goodness sake.

As we discussed last week, Deron Williams’ skillset fits Rick Carlisle’s system pretty well. It’s his attitude and willingness to follow orders that are the question. Playing on a 2year/$10M deal, this is likely Williams’ last NBA stop as a starting PG.

If he really wants to remake his image, he will have to conform to the Mavs’ way of doing things. And the Mavs’ way of doing things is Rick Carlisle’s way of doing things. Williams will be paired with former teammate Wesley Matthews and will join a locker room with a winning culture and positive attitude.

Can Deron Williams get along in Dallas?

He can make this work in Dallas, as long as he realizes that it’s solely up to him.

Next: Can Deron Williams reclaim his greatness?

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