"The best part about him is that even now, 72 games into his career, he still defies description. This is a good thing for Terrence Williams, because it not only emphasizes his versatility, it puts the element of surprise on his side.

Case in point: The Hornets' scouting report Saturday night noted that the Nets' rookie drives right 80 percent of the time. That's what James Posey thought in the second quarter, anyway, when he shaded Williams toward the middle on an isolation along the left wing.

As defenders go, Posey is a pro, but Williams cranked him: He jab-stepped right to put the Hornet back on his heels, then drove left – launching himself toward the cup two dribbles later and throwing down a hellacious slam that had the bench on its feet.

A postgame survey revealed that the players jumped to applaud the crescendo; the coaches were celebrating that – for once – Williams drove left.

"I made everybody happy," Williams said before tonight's 109-99 defeat against Washington. "I guess I ought to go left more often."

Actually, it's all about keeping everybody guessing. That's why everyone finds him so compelling: Williams cannot be pigeonholed.

He can rebound and initiate the break and finish with a flourish – steps A, B and C in your 21st century NBA offense. Very few players can do that.

You can use him on the ball and off the ball.

He can throw the lob, and he can catch the lob.

You can tell him something, and he'll learn it in five minutes because he trusts coaches – especially Nets assistant Doug Overton – and he's not a yes-sir type of rookie who then tries to do it his own way.

"A lot of little stuff now that looks like me reacting to the defense," Williams said. "But it's really something I've worked on a lot with Doug."

And, of course, you can label him what you want. Some feel a need to call him a point guard or a point forward. He's probably just a 2-3 who you can run your offense through – like an Andre Iguodala, or perhaps even a Lamar Odom."