Deron Williams has no fear about playing in Europe, says he’s going ‘for the experience’

When word came out that Deron Williams was headed to Europe to play for Turkish team Besiktas in Istanbul, there was a flurry of questions that came out. Would he really pay for that little money? (Because apparently $200,000 a month is “little.”) What about being away from his family? (You mean like he is during the entire season with his family in Dallas?) What if he gets hurt? (This is the dumbest one. How many players have you seen sustain injuries in the NBA, and how many have you seen in a contract year? It’s different in the NBA? Tell that to David West.)

On Saturday, Williams talked to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, and answered some of the questions himself. Specifically, Williams answered questions about the injury issue:

“People say, ‘Oh, you’re going to get hurt,’” Williams said. “I can get hurt playing at (the University of San Diego) or wherever I’m at. I can get hurt walking down these steps. Of course, that’s a big part of it. But I also did my due diligence, researched insurance. I’ll be covered.”

via 2011 NBA lockout: Deron Williams of New Jersey Nets says more players could play overseas permanently - ESPN New York.

Williams having an insurance policy is huge. It covers his liability in such a situation. And yes, he could wind up getting injured, with team doctors who don’t know what they’re doing, and then having more and more surgeries as his career goes on. You know what we call that here? Playing for Portland.

Williams also made it clear that he wasn’t headed to Turkey for the money, but for what he calls “the experience.”

“It’s more about the experience. Experience and being able to compete and play basketball. I don’t want to sit around. That’s what the NBA wants us to do right now. They locked us out of our gyms, they locked us out of facilities. We got to go find somewhere on our own to go hoop, to put games together. I don’t have to do that. I’ve got a team. I’m going to go through organized practices. I’m going to be in game situations. So if the lockout is lifted, I’m going to be ready to play.”

via 2011 NBA lockout: Deron Williams of New Jersey Nets says more players could play overseas permanently - ESPN New York.

It’s quotes like these that make you wonder just how much the NBPA is behind orchestrating these deals. Because this sounds an awful lot like a pre-planned statement geared at skewering ownership from union reps. Regardless, it’s nice that Williams is taking this opportunity to see the world. And from every indication, Istanbul is really nice this time of year, and a sheer delight to enjoy.

I’m supposed to make a Utah joke here, but I’ll skip it today.