Will Solomon, Stand-In Extraordinaire

by Steve Weinman on Nov 17, 2008 12:00 AM EST in NBA Comment 5 comments

Jose Calderon missed the Raptors' visit from the Heat on Sunday afternoon thanks to an injury, but Will Solomon made sure Toronto didn't miss him too terribly.

Not only was yesterday's game just the fifth start of Solomon's career, it was his first in more than six years.

The 30-year-old point guard is in his second season in the NBA, the first coming with Memphis back in 2001-02. He spent the interim between then and now bouncing around overseas leagues, including stints in Greece, Israel and Turkey.

In his first extended showing with the Raps (he hadn't played as many as 20 minutes previously), Solomon looked like a seasoned NBA veteran: nearly 34 minutes, 5-for-9 shooting, 15 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 turnovers in a 107-96 victory. Even more importantly than his individual production, he ran a balanced and effective team offense, which shot 47 percent from the field, got to the foul line 34 times and featured seven players in double-figure scoring.

Not a bad showing at all for a guy trying to replace a player who averages 13.5 points and 9.0 assists (second-best in the NBA) and is fast becoming one of the best all-around point guards in the league.

Well done, Will.

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Finally... I was getting afraid he had regressed...

The single thing that surprised me more in this NBA season so far was Ukic beating Solomon to the backup PG spot in the Raptors, as odd as this may seem. In my eyes, it’s like Sun Yue beating Farmar, Pruitt beating House, Bynum beating Stuckey, or even worse. In fact, it’s worse, I can’t think of a similar situation.

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=23539.msg377643#msg377643

Order is restored in the universe now. Solomon is a very solid PG at this point of his career, very good backup. He struggled during his first seasons in Europe, playing as the stereotypical American guard – individualist, inefficient, low IQ, dunking machine, thug, one-dimensional – but the last two seasons, under Örs and Tanjevic’s guidance, he finally pull it together and became a very reliable playmaker. I was hoping that Ainge could pick him up, but it didn’t happen.

As a side note, another favourite of mine in the “point guards who played in Europe category”, Sacramento’s Bobby Brown had a couple of off-games recently, but has already showed some signs he can be a steal for the Kings.

p.s. – “got to the foul line 34 times”
Fouled out the entire Miami roster? He has a decent drive, but not that good ;)

by cordobes on Nov 17, 2008 1:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great information Cordobes.

by Who on Nov 17, 2008 5:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Local guy

And just to add. Even though most probably already know. Will is a local guy.
East Hartford, CT born and raised. Great high school player in the area in the late 90’s. Keep it up, Will.

by RichT24 on Nov 17, 2008 8:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

King Solomon

Nice to see Will Solomon do well. A few years back I had spent some time in Jerusalem, and he was the best player on their team at the time. He and former UCONN guard Doron Scheffer started in their backcourt.

He pretty much scored at will over there, and led Hapoel Jerusalem to the ULEB cup title (think NIT). The funniest part about him then was his nickname. All of the fans chanted King Solomon at him (reference to biblical king for those out of the know). Their team wasn’t that good but he baisically got to the lane at will and scored as he pleased. I’m happy to see him do well.

by GaBerkowitz on Nov 17, 2008 9:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs