Greatest Memphis Grizzlies Of All-Time: Jason Williams
By Blake Monroe
Former Memphis Grizzlies point guard Jason Williams AKA “White Chocolate” makes his mark on the Grizzlies’ top-25 all-time list.
Drafted seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings in 1998, Jason Williams immediately proved himself by giving his team a chance to potentially make the playoffs as a rookie.
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Also, in his rookie year alone, Williams jersey was in the top-five for best-selling in the league. This same Draft class included infamous players such as Mike Bibby, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, and Vince Carter, to name a few.
In 2001, White Chocolate’s powerhouse playing and explosive offensive tenacity made its debut with the Grizzlies, but never in a game located in Vancouver. The team would then to move to Memphis shortly after the trade was made. Over the next five seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Williams would average 30 minutes per game, shooting 40% from the field and 33% from three-point land, all while performing some of the most iconic assists in the NBA. During this time, Williams helped lead the Memphis Grizzlies to two postseason appearances in 2004 and 2005. These were the first playoff appearances they had achieved in franchise history.
Highlights:
Above are some of the best assists through Jason Williams’ entire career. His time with the Memphis Grizzles take place at the 1:00- 2:30 marks. View his final season with the Grizzlies at the 3:35 point. During Williams’ first run with the Grizzlies, it is easy to see how this time shaped him to win an NBA World Championship in 2006 as a member of the Miami Heat.
No doubt WIlliams was one of the flashiest guards in Grizzlies history, and his time in Memphis had some very huge moments. All of these reasons are why Williams comes in at number nine on our Greatest Grizzlies of All-Time.