Marvin Turns (E-gads) 23
June 18th, 2009 by cstarkBremerton’s Marvin Williams celebrates his 23rd birthday today.
Hard to believe huh? Seems like he’s been around forever. People forget he was just 17 when he graduated from Bremerton High in 2004. A year later, he was the overall No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft — this after his putback in the NCAA championship turned out to be the go-ahead basket in the closing seconds for North Carolina.
Now he’ s a restricted free agent, a four-year NBA veteran. The Hawks can match any offer that comes Marvin’s way. Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Mark Bradley suggested the Hawks sign Marvin and trade him because he’s not assertive enough.
Bad move if you’re a Hawks fan. Marvin’s best days are ahead of him. Don’t give up on his enormous potential. Not enough people appreciate Marvin’s game. He’s a bit of throwback in that he doesn’t throw it up every time the ball comes his way. Marvin reminds me a bit of a young Lamar Odom, the valuable Lakers’ star, because he can do a little bit of everything. I think he’s going to turn out to be that kind of impact player before his career is over.
The best part about Marvin is that he’s still Marvin From the Block. When he’s back in town, he still shows up at the YMCA with his buddies to play in the noon pickup games. He doesn’ t go hard, but he’s out there, directing traffic, having fun.
He was there the other day when I bumped into Tim Garguile, who owned the Red Apple Grocery store on Perry Avenue that Marvin worked at when he was in high school. One day, his dad, Nick Garguile, stopped by the store and saw young Marvin, one of the rising young hoops stars in the country, mopping the floor.
“My dad goes, ‘There’s something wrong with that picture, but if he’s going to be mopping that floor I’m sure as hell going to show him how to do it right.’”
For the way he carries himself, on and off the court; for what he’s done for his family; Bremerton’s fortunate to have an athlete like Marvin Williams representing the 360.
Happy Birthday Marvin.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Recent Comments