Derrick Williams would advise Carmelo to join Panathinaikos, names EuroLeague stars who could fit NBA / News - Basketnews.com

If Carmelo Anthony or any other NBA star called Derrick Williams to ask about Europe, the Panathinaikos forward would advise them to join him in Athens.

Credit: AP/SIPA/Scanpix Credit AP/SIPA/Scanpix

"What a game. Let's go!" Derrick Williams found a note on his front door in Athens.

Panathinaikos Athens / Schedule

Zalgiris Kaunas Panathinaikos Athens67-81 Panathinaikos Athens EA7 Emporio Armani MilanThu19:00 Valencia Basket Panathinaikos Athens12-1319:30

His neighbor Kostas wanted to congratulate Panathinaikos forward with a spectacular 26-point game and game-winner vs. the EuroCup champions Virtus Bologna.

Williams feeds off Panathinaikos fans' support, averaging 17.8 points per EuroLeague game every time the Greens play in OAKA. That makes him the 6th-best EuroLeague scorer in home games.

He's playing his career-best EuroLeague season (15.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.5 APG), proving he belongs to the EuroLeague elite.

Yes, DWill was drafted with the 2nd pick in the 2011 NBA draft, which says he should have translated his talents to Europe. But several examples show it's not that simple.

The No. 1 draft pick Anthony Bennett scored 12 points in 10 games with Fenerbahce in the 2016-17 season.

OJ Mayo was the 3rd pick in the 2008 NBA Draft but didn't show consistency coming off the UNICS Kazan bench last year (5.8 PPG).

The No. 4 draft pick of the 2010 NBA Draft Wesley Johnson didn't play beyond his rookie EuroLeague year with Panathinaikos after the 2019-20 season (3.3 PPG).

Emmanuel Mudiay, drafted 5th in 2015, parted ways with Zalgiris Kaunas after five games (7.4 PPG, 3.2 APG).

Thon Maker was selected 10th in the 2016 NBA draft butleft Hapoel Jerusalem after six games in the 2021-22 season (2.8 PPG in the BCL).

"It's my fifth year in Europe, and I was able to adjust really fast in my first year with Bayern. But it's different basketball," Williams explained in an interview with BasketNews.

"You have all these articles that come out where Luka or Giannis says it's harder to score in Europe. It is," he continued. "It's more physical. It's less space. You can play zones and different types of matchups. In the NBA, it's more run and gun. You have to be really skilled to play at this level. You have to be multi-dimensional. Now you have guys 7'3, shooting threes and playing in the post. Guards who are shooting from anywhere. You have a versatile type of game."

2-pointers this season

48%18,6Points made:18,6Accuracy:47,8%Place in standings:13Record max:27Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Dwayne BaconTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"But I think when you come to Europe, real basketball will show whether you can play. So far, it's been great for me. I've been able to showcase different aspects of my game every season. Not just athleticism but being able to shoot and post up. Just different levels of scoring," Williams said.

"I think some people struggle with it being able to do multiple different things. But I also think it comes with the fit, which team you're going to, and how comfortable you are in that fit. A lot of people have never been to Europe before. They're coming over from the States.

Maybe it's the distance. Maybe it's an 8-10 hour difference. Coming from Los Angeles, I've struggled with that in the first couple of years. People are up and leaving for work when you're going to sleep. It takes time to adjust. In Europe, you have to showcase different aspects of your game. So far, I've been able to do that," he concluded.

Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, DeMarcus Cousins, and Lou Williams headline the list of big NBA names that still don't have a team.

In November, Dwight Howard signed over a $1M deal to play in Taiwan. There were reports that some other NBA players might follow Howard, but recently these reports were denied.

What if Melo, Isaiah Thomas, and others started considering expanding their brand in Europe and called him to ask about the EuroLeague?

"I would tell them to go to Pana. That's the main thing," Williams laughed.

Carmelo was his teammate in the New York Knicks (2015-16), while he played with Isaiah Thomas in the Sacramento Kings (2013-14).

"If they call, I give them advice whatever advice they want. But I think there is such a high-level basketball that they would be able to come to Europe and dominate," Williams stated.

"I see a lot of guys in Europe that people are not sure how they are going to play, but they dominate. I remember watching Markus Howard from Baskonia when he was in Marquette. I'm not surprised by the things he is doing this season. Just putting guys like that, like Chris Jones, with Valencia.

There are a lot of guys who can really play the game. Sometimes it's about fit. But when you have guys like Carmelo or Isaiah, All-Star caliber players, no matter where they go, they would be able to fit right in and would be able to dominate," Williams assured.

Credit AFP - Scanpix

"Just embrace it," Williams continued with advice. "Whichever country you play in, just embrace the culture and where you are."

"The biggest thing for me was forgetting where I had played in the NBA before putting this to the side and staying in the moment. It helped me a lot," Williams shared his personal experience. "Knowing that if I can continue playing well, whichever dreams and aspirations I might have, whether wanting to go back to the NBA or going to another high-level team in Europe, just stay in the moment. I think that's the main thing that helped me."

Derrick Williams averaged 8.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in a 7-year NBA career.

He played in Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Now counting his fifth year at the top-level European basketball scene, BasketNews asked him to share his views on which EuroLeague stars could succeed in the NBA.

At first, he mentioned Vasilije Micic, Will Clyburn, Mike James, and Moustapha Fall.

"I know if they went to the NBA, they could do some great things," Williams said to BasketNews.

"I think every year, you have more guys coming from the NBA to Europe, but also, a lot of guys are getting drafted and leaving Europe for the NBA. It's a good thing to see. The game is really changing. I think it's not just the States with high-level basketball. These players that are skilled and really can play basketball are all around the world," Williams continued. "Now you have guys like 7'3 who can dribble and shoot threes. The game is changing. It's a good thing to see because it's evolving."

"But there are a lot of guys who are doing damage in Europe and could go to the NBA and play. One of the guys for sure are Micic, Clyburn, and Mike James. These guys who can really put the ball into the basket can translate easily," DWill concluded.

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