This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Throughout high school, at North Carolina and with the Atlanta Hawks, Marvin Williams has been synonomous with number 24.
It's been a part of his basketball being, his very fabric with the court.
Not anymore.
Paul Millsap wears 24 for the Jazz. So Williams, settled for number 4.
Oh wait....that belongs to Adrian Dantley, and that number is retired.
Williams is undaunted. He now will wear number 2.
Except Blake Ahearn has that.
Whatever number Williams wears, Jazz brass can only hope he brings the length, the athleticism and the energy to the lineup that the small forward position was so lacking last year.
The Jazz put Gordon Hayward there for much of the season. But Hayward is good as a small forward. Great as a shooting guard. There was DeMarre Carroll, and even Millsap. But, neither are as natural at that position as Williams.
The former Atlanta Hawk knows that he has a unique chance to step in and make an impact.
And the Jazz don't care how it gets done, or what number he wears.
They just want it to get done.
Tony Jones