Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: Getting to know veteran forward Marvin Williams

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 30: Marvin Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a jumper against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 30, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 30: Marvin Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a jumper against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 30, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 10: (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 10: (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

NBA Career

After spending 15 years in the league and entering the NBA with plenty of hype and fanfare after being the second overall pick, Williams has certainly found a way to endure and secure a spot within the league. That has come with plenty of adjustments and learning how to navigate through life playing in the NBA, something that Williams has, in turn, passed on to younger guys over his time with the Hawks, the Utah Jazz and most recently, the Hornets.

Williams was given a crash course on that subject over his seven-year stint in Atlanta as the Hawks’ grand plans to groom him into a potential face of the franchise never came to pass as he developed around the likes of Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Josh Smith. The reality of having to fit into a box in order to find his footing early on in Atlanta was something Williams discussed with The Ringer’s Dan Devine before the start of the 2019-20 season:

"“It’s very difficult sometimes as a player, because you know who you are and who you want to be, but sometimes that may not match up with who your coach needs you to be,” Williams said."

The irony of that statement is that while Williams may have never realized the potential that many tagged him with upon entering the NBA, he molded himself and his game into becoming a viable role player, one that warmed him to his coaches along his stops throughout the league. For the 33-year-old, it’s been taking to heart the invaluable tips and lessons he picked up from his veterans during his time with the Hawks as he talked about with NBA.com’s Sekou Smith in a Q&A session last year:

"“That’s the thing that cracks me up. For me, I remember me and [Josh Smith] used to come out here at 19 and 20 and barely even stretch and then play 35 minutes and not even feel it the next day. It’s crazy what the body can do when you’re a young guy. Now it takes me 30 minutes to get loose. Physically, I feel fine. Once you warmed up and locked in, it is what is. But you can’t just roll it out there and show up like you did early on. There’s so much to the preparation that you just don’t always understand when you first step into this man’s league. It can blow your mind if you don’t adjust and it can cost you if you don’t get up to speed quickly. Looking back, it’s so important to have those times in my career when I’m in a locker room with Stack [Jerry Stackhouse] and T-Mac [Tracy McGrady] and you know, guys like Joe Johnson, Tyronn Lue and Mike Bibby as they were getting older, to shine some light on the process you have to go through. I got a chance to play with Richard Jefferson in Salt Lake City with the Jazz, older guys who had been around who really understood what it takes to do this at the highest level, I picked up things from all of them, each and every one of them, and put them in my bag. You have to. I can’t stress enough how invaluable those experiences were to me and my career.”"

Those habits and Williams’ overall preparation has clearly been key to his longevity in the NBA and set the foundation to his role playing transformation. Over his career, Williams has earned just north of $109 million over his collective salaries, according to HoopsHype.

Having survived in the NBA for this long, Williams is well aware that he’s nearer to the end of his career than the beginning of it. And as Williams has weighed retirement after the season, he talked to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer last month about working and traveling the world to teach kids the game he’s played for the vast majority of his life:

"“I was in New York, but focused on the international basketball operations part of it,” Williams said. “I like the Junior NBA (program) where you are basically a camp counselor all around the world. Basketball Without Borders (the league’s global summer outreach), I’ve done a couple of those: I went to Africa and I went to Indonesia. “Any opportunity I get to travel and work with kids? That’s what I would love to do.”"

Before Williams comes back to debating that decision, Williams will look to add an NBA championship to his mantle now that he’s reportedly joining Milwaukee.

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