Williams proves doubters wrong

LAS VEGAS — Ever since the doubters wondered why the Jazz took Deron Williams instead of Chris Paul at No. 3 overall in the 2005 NBA Draft, the former University of Illinois point guard has played with something to prove.

"I use everything as motivation," Williams said.

Case in point:

Wednesday's 33-point, 12-assist effort in Utah's one-point win over Eastern Conference All-Star LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, which came on the heels of Williams learning he had not been chosen by league commissioner David Stern as an injury replacement for Sunday's NBA All-Star Game here.

"He always seems to have played better," Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor said, "when people question what kind of player he is."

Williams gets a chance to make yet another statement tonight, when he and power forward Paul Millsap of the Jazz play on opposite sides in the NBA's annual Rookie-Sophomore Challenge game — part of All-Star Weekend festivities.

For Millsap, a second-round selection from Louisiana Tech who has surprised scouts who doubted him with consistently solid play in a mostly off-the-bench role for coach Jerry Sloan, the youthful-talent showcase game is one more reminder that he's still in the midst of a dizzying rookie season.

"Maybe next year I won't feel like this," Millsap said, "but when I get out on the court, I'm still just a young guy trying to learn."

Williams, meanwhile, is a 22-year-old on a mission to prove the Jazz right.

And with Utah off to a 35-17 start, including a six-game winning streak that it is taking into the All-Star break and the NBA's third-best record to date this season, he so far is doing just that.

"Look, we're not in this situation without Deron Williams. His success has certainly mirrored what we've done. ... He's played at such a high level this season," O'Connor said of a point who is averaging 17.4 points per game and ranks second among NBA assists leader with an average of 9.3. "I hope he continues to do it, and I hope he uses that (not getting invited to the All-Star Game) as an impetus into playing the last 31 like he played the first 51.

"He's played All-Star caliber basketball, and he wasn't appointed to the team," O'Connor added. "What I think we all would say to him is, 'Continue to get better and improve, and look at where the ring is. You're not far from it right now."'