Besiktas retires Deron Wiliams' jersey after 15 games

[Andrew]

Yes, really.

Beşiktaş honored Williams before their game today, and raised his jersey to the rafters. Williams averaged 21.8 PPG and 6.5 APG in his time in Istanbul, and says he hopes to return one day.

The TBL is especially hard-hit by the resumption of the NBA, with Zaza Pachulia(notes), Thabo Sefolosha, Semih Erden and Mehmet Okur returning to their American teams. It's not all bad, though: Sasha Vujacic will stay with his Turkish team through the end of the year.

I know we sometimes gripe about NBA teams retiring jerseys too readily, but that's insane.

[Kenny]

It is kinda crazy, but then again, I really have no idea what his impact with the team and the league was like. He scored 50 in a game didn't he? But hey, good for him. Deron Williams always was one of my favourite point guards in the NBA.

[NovU]

Deron seemingly had a pretty good time over there both on and off the court. He says he wants to play there again when he has a chance. Should have been something more than his performance on the court with the team, for them to retire his jersey like that.

[Mavs4Life]

It's a little insane, yes, but since I don't really follow the foreign leagues, I don't care.

[bowdown]

Does anyone know which other really big name has played for their team? I can understand them retiring his jersey if they are a club which has not had such a big name play for them. He must had been a real professional and a teammate and the organization appreciate him giving his talent and his name to their club (idk how big name organization they are).

[Dc311]

He is the biggest thing to happen to them ever.I see it as a future invite for him for the future.

[NovU]

Iverson was a bigger name that played for that team, despite being on the downhill of his career when that happened. But still fan base was bigger.

[bowdown]

meh i bet he wasnt as good both performance and inter personal relation wise than Deron.

[Nick]

Pure publicity/marketing stunt for Besiktas.

It's like a high school kid bragging about kissing a girl, meanwhile in college everybody is having free & inconsequential sex all over the place.

[Dc311]

He is the biggest thing to happen to them ever.I see it as a future invite for him for the future.

Wow!I do not remember typing that.Damn alcohol.HaHa.

[Rowan Boatman]

It's like a high school kid bragging about kissing a girl, meanwhile in college everybody is having free & inconsequential sex all over the place.

You sir, are a genius.

[Andrew]

It's a little insane, yes, but since I don't really follow the foreign leagues, I don't care.

True. It's not something to get up in arms about, but it's certainly bizarre.

Pure publicity/marketing stunt for Besiktas.

It's like a high school kid bragging about kissing a girl, meanwhile in college everybody is having free & inconsequential sex all over the place.

Good call on both counts.

[Murat]

Lol. 8JK suck.

[frenchy]

Well, that's stupid but they want him to come back asap

[kibaxx7]

Deron said he'd like to come back, and Besiktas' owners said it didn't only change the team's life, but also the city's. It's a little too much

[shadowgrin]

Deron probably went whoring everyday bringing the whoring rate down for the city which is good, forcing men to spend time with their families and friends instead of whoring.