Deron Williams and Jordan Farmar don't share much besides their position on an underachieving NBA team. After three months of the NBA lockout, the two point guards still don't have much in common.
Williams, the third pick in the 2005 Draft, is the heralded star who found instant success and fame coming out of Illinois.
Farmar, the UCLA product, went in the first round one year and 23 picks later. While he didn't fill up statsheets with the Los Angeles Lakers, he found a different kind of success. Farmar carved a niche on an elite team that won two NBA championships.
Farmar's payday consisted of a 3-year, $12 million deal.
Williams, on the other hand, signed a 3-year maximum contract in 2008. The deal included an option for a fourth year, an option that will allow Williams to skip out on the Brooklyn experience if he so chooses.
The option is worth $17.8 million for the 2011-12 season.
In the meantime, both players needed to compete. They both went international.
Williams made the decision to sign with Besiktas, a Turkish team that is considered one of the lesser clubs as far as super leagues go. Williams' New Jersey teammate Bojan Bogdanovic plays for Fenerbahce, a team with eight Turkish league championships and a Group A position in Euroleague play.
Besiktas signed Williams to a one-year deal worth $5 million. The deal includes everything necessary to keep an NBA star in lower-level Turkish competition. He's provided with a driver, a security team, and a personal assistant, all of which are on call 24-hours a day.
Farmar took a different path. The guard inked a one-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv, one of the most succesful international teams. In 2010-11, Tel Aviv finished second to Greece's Panathinaikos.
He also joined a more star-studded cast. Star-studded as far as international lockout signings go.
Farmar will play alongside Jon Scheyer, Gonzaga's Jeremy Pargo, and internationally renowned big man Sofoklis Schortsanitis.
How is each Net finding life away from Newark? Much like their NBA careers.
Williams is playing in the spotlight, although struggling with a meddling team while Farmar is thriving in Israel.
Following Besiktas' elimination from the Eurocup, a frustrated Williams had this to offer:
"Didn’t give my team much of a chance," he said.
While Williams' performance will have no bearing on his future with the Nets, the outcome is eye-opening. In a 74-63 loss, Williams managed seven points (3-of-13), seven assists, and six turnovers. He guided his team in front of 3,500 Belgian fans, a turnout that would make a mid-major AD blush.
Farmar has manned the point in three straight Tel Aviv wins. He notched 19 points and seven assists in a 97-81 win over KK Cibona Zagreb.
Although both overseas, the guards are worlds apart in atmosphere.
Williams is getting beaten up in Turkey (technical foul while jawing with an opponent, fouled on jump shots, different officiating), Farmar is handling his transition with ease.
Two different players with two different NBA upbringings. Two different immediate futures in competitive basketball.
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