Out the Mud Deron Williams | Caught TA slipping 👀, The BEEF with Coach Sloan, Kobe 2008 Olympic Stories & more
Feb 21, 2026
Deron Williams, former NBA point guard and three-time All-Star who won Olympic gold, walks through his Dallas roots and rise at Illinois. He revisits Utah prime years, the tension with Coach Sloan, the Brooklyn struggles, and Team USA memories. Conversation also touches on his surprising move into boxing and post-retirement ventures.
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Draft Workouts: Mostly Solo
- Deron describes his draft workout process: many solo workouts and one competitive session that included Ray Felton and Julius Hodge.
- He didn't avoid matchups but preferred solo work unless Chris Paul was present to warrant a direct comparison.
Draft Night And Utah Fit
- Draft night was emotional but low-key for Williams; he celebrated briefly and flew to Utah the next morning.
- He liked Utah for its focus and family-friendly environment, seeing it as good for his career and raising a child.
Coach Sloan Tension Fueled Growth
- Williams recounts rookie-year tension with Coach Sloan, who limited his minutes and tested him mentally.
- After reaching a turning point at the All-Star break, Deron focused, earned the starting role, and launched his breakout.