The Orlando Magic has problems at the moment, all sprouting from a three-week stretch in which it has lost seven of 10 games and hardly looked primed to defend its Eastern Conference title.

Jason Williams, however, isn't one of the concerns.

The former Kings point guard has enjoyed quite the renaissance this season, having put a brief retirement behind him like a defender on the break. His game is still sharp despite a year away from the court.

It's a far cry from September 2008, when Williams signed a one-year deal with the Clippers but promptly announced he would retire instead after 10 seasons. He attempted to be reinstated not long after but was forced to wait a year after six of the league's teams voted against his immediate return (the vote had to be unanimous, per league bylaws).

Williams wound up getting the best of both worlds, playing on a contender while staying in the state he never wanted to leave. He had grown comfortable as a Floridian while playing with Miami for three seasons, and not just because of his integral role in the Heat's 2005-06 title.

His wife and three kids like it there, and Williams ultimately decided against uprooting them so he could founder in Clippersland.

In a new role with the Magic, Williams displays only touches of the flash that earned him the nickname "White Chocolate" when he sparked the Kings' renaissance in 1998. He is a steady shooter, a willing passer and an unselfish veteran who is sorely needed on a team with serious chemistry questions.

"I'm not 'White Chocolate' anymore," said Williams, who signed a one-year deal with the Magic for the veteran's minimum of $1.3 million. "(But) guys know I'm unselfish and I love to pass, so if we get out on the break and get open, I'm going to get them the ball.

"Now it's all about winning a championship, man. However that gets done, that's what I'm going to do."

To that end, Williams has been a boon for the Magic. After starting point guard Jameer Nelson had surgery Nov. 18 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, Williams led Orlando to a 13-4 record. He averaged 5.1 assists to just 1.3 turnovers in that stretch, with his style even more vital, considering the isolation approach of new addition Vince Carter and the need for center Dwight Howard to be surrounded by pass-first types. Since Nelson reclaimed his starting role, Orlando is 6-8.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Williams' ability to push the tempo without committing turnovers – which he was prone to early in his career – has impressed him most.

"His efficiency has been outstanding … and he's shot the ball probably better than I would have expected him to (44.9 percent overall, 40 percent from three-point range)," Van Gundy said. "He has been phenomenal."

At 34, Williams is a poor man's version of 35-year-old Steve Nash, playing well and continuing his fast-paced ways at a time when most point guards are slowing down.

"He's still got energy and quickness," Van Gundy said. "He doesn't have the quickness he had when he played (with the Kings from 1998 to 2001), but nobody does as they get a little bit older. But he does have good quickness, and he has unbelievable energy and enthusiasm. He's so much smarter and more under control than he was early in his career."

And happier, too.

"I did miss (basketball), but at the same time I had fun (in his season away), too," Williams said. "I enjoyed being home with my family. I enjoyed golfing every day, not having shootarounds, not having long plane rides and things like that. But at the same time, I love the game."

Asked if this season could be his last, Williams smiles.

"No, I'm just trying to get through this year," he said. "I love playing, so we'll have to talk about that in the summertime."

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