In an earlier post I lamented what I believed was a regrettable error of talent assessment by the Nets orgaznization in not bringing Williams to training camp to compete for the last couple of roster spots at forward. He's a bigger, better shooting, better rebounding and more disciplined and enthusiastic team player than for example Lonny Baxter. No one can guard him in the paint and after four years at Wake Forest where (and you can go back and compare the stats) he outplayed Sheldon Williams and Sean May and Cedric Simmons and all of the other ACC front court players. Granted he is not currently a threat to step out and knock down the 15 to 18 foot shot consistently. But on a team with Kidd he would be a tough cover. I was not surprised, just disappointed to see the Nets bring in a 7'2" project and another mediocre center to back up the front court instead of going with a well-educated, well-coached, All-ACC performer who had to be double-teamed in college to keep him from scoring at will. And he's a heck of a rebounder and can play defense. He can get into foul trouble, but what big, strong player doesn't who's not protected by the League's refs? He will be in the NBA for the next decade and a half, but hopefully not for the Nets. As in every profession, the more you learn about the people in decision-making jobs, you realize why some organizations succeed consistently and others do not. Any pro basketball afficianado could draft a decent team after observing the talent. But the talent judges who are "scary" good (watch the movie "The Recruit" with Al Pacino for a good definition of a "scary good" judge of talent) make far fewer misjudgments and the teams fortunate enough to have them are regular playoff contenders who snare a good player whether they are picking first or 31st.
