"People think that's hot-dogging, but it's just easier for me; it's how I've always played" - When Jason Williams responded to his critics

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Jason Williams cemented himself as one of the best playmakers of the early 2000s, and it was one of the most exciting play styles to watch around the NBA. He made some of the most challenging passes you could see in the basketball world and made it work.

Unfortunately for Jason, his flashy play style drew the ire of former players and TV analysts. It was a puzzling take from those people; Jason made the game more fun to watch and effective, as Williams was a regular fixture for the Sacramento Kings.

“A lot of these old-timers and commentators see me throw a behind-the-back pass, and say, ‘He could have thrown a chest pass.’ Well, it’s just so much easier for me to catch and whip instead of catching it, cocking it on my chest, and throwing it,” Williams told Slam back in 2000. “People think that’s hot-dogging, but it’s just easier for me. It’s how I’ve always played.”

People should’ve left Williams to keep playing like that

Williams has always been one of the most creative passers around. The media started trying to weaken him by criticizing his risky passes. However, that made Jason a more compelling point guard because he would try to make the most outrageous passes.

Removing that flair and courage would make him not play like himself. Thankfully, Kings players knew that White Chocolate was wired that way as they adjusted to how they played and began to love that fast-paced play style.

It includes All-Star Chris Webber, who defended his point guard from those harsh criticisms.

“That talk is just jealousy that Jason can make the hard stuff look easy. He grew up watching Bird and Magic, and aren’t you supposed to jump up a level? You don’t stay static, you take it higher,” Webber said after Jason’s statement to Slam.

“If I see Jordan jump from the free throw line, maybe I want to jump from farther back. That’s how Vince Carter came about and now he can jump higher than Mike. It’s just natural evolution… In the ‘hood, brothers just want to play like Williams. They don’t care what color he is.”

Williams was still successful despite the criticism

After his three-year stint with the Sacramento Kings, Williams played for three different franchises. Jason’s most successful spot was with the Miami Heat. He was the starting point guard for the 2005/06 Heat that won the NBA Championship, building a natural chemistry with his backup and veteran mentor, Gary Payton.

White Chocolate was a good fit alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal, as he knew how to pass them the ball and hit them in the right spots on the court. It was a well-deserved triumph for Williams, as he proved his flashy play style could work, leading to a championship in Miami.

Williams got the last laugh, and no one can take that championship away from him, especially since he was a starter alongside two bonafide superstars like D-Wade and Shaq.