jay williams sighting...

by leeac on Aug 24, 2006 5:15 PM CDT

Chicago Tribune 8/24/06

Nets Invite Jay Williams to Camp

By DAVID PORTER
Associated Press Writer
Published August 24, 2006, 3:12 PM CDT

NEWARK, N.J. -- Jay Williams' bid to resurrect his NBA career after a serious motorcycle crash three years ago has brought him to New Jersey, where he worked out for Nets officials and has been invited to training camp.

Kevin Bradbury, who represents Williams, said the Nets invited the former Duke star and No. 2 draft pick to training camp in October. Williams hasn't played in the NBA since his 2002-2003 rookie season when he averaged 9.5 points for the Chicago Bulls.

Nets general manager Ed Stefanski said Thursday that Williams had given "strong indications" that he was interested in accepting the invitation.

Williams crashed his motorcycle into a light pole in June 2003, fracturing his pelvis and tearing knee ligaments. He was hospitalized for 3 1/2 months and had nerve damage in his left leg. The Bulls bought out his contract for about $3 million.

Williams is considering the offer and no contract has been signed yet, Bradbury said. The Nets are expected to have a full roster of 15 players under contract, which means Williams would not receive any guaranteed money.

"That allows us to get a look at him, plus the whole league gets a look at him," Stefanski said. "I haven't met a much nicer kid than Jay. He has unbelievable desire. If anybody has the drive to make it back into the league, he does."

Bradbury said Williams has held workouts for several teams over the last two months, including Phoenix, Seattle, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Lakers. He also participated in Steve Nash's annual charity game in Vancouver last month.

"He used to be one of the explosive guys you'd ever seen, and he's not that type of player any more," Bradbury said. "He's not going to rise up on you like he used to. But he still has good foot speed and lateral movement, and he can still get by a guy in either direction.

"He's working really hard on extending the range of his jump shot because he knows he has to have those things to compete at this level again."

Williams, from Plainfield, N.J., led Duke to the national title as a sophomore. He was a two-time All-American and the 2002 AP college player of the year.

my favorite part was where williams' agent says, "He used to be one of the explosive guys you'd ever seen..."

i don't recall ever seeing him blow by defenders on the dribble.

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::plays the ocarina::

LINK!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Aug 24, 2006 5:49 PM CDT reply actions

Cut and paste?

the whole article? I think the AP frowns on that kind of thing. Is it that hard to summarize in a short paragraph?

Also, Williams was superduper quick. He had a triple double on Jason Kidd back when Kidd still had two knees.

by bullshooter on Aug 24, 2006 10:02 PM CDT reply actions

I remember

that game: First Bull to have a triple doule since MJ. Oh, how I was excited to have the PG of the future who would be a perennial allstar. In my defense that was early in the season and he hadn't lost his starting job to jamal friggin crawford, yet.
Guess it turned out a little different. However, good for him that he apparently has a (small) chance of making it back...

by spider from split on Aug 25, 2006 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions

quoting

Yes, you are supposed to link and quote. I will delete future diaries that don't do this.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Aug 25, 2006 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

deletion

I will delete only after posting a picture of my friend Link as a warning, of course

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Aug 25, 2006 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

the nets

would be a bad situation for Jay. He would be their 3rd PG behind Kidd and Marcus Williams. If I were his agent the team I'd be trying to get a tryout for is Indiana. They are a solid team with no real good PG. Tinsley is always hurt, their backup is some foreign bust, and Darrell Armstrong should never step on a NBA court in any meaningful sitution. Houston or Washington would also be a good fit for Jay.

by LD9 on Aug 24, 2006 10:23 PM CDT reply actions

Any situation

is a good situation for Jay Williams, or any player that NBA teams won't touch with a guaranteed contract. Jay Williams probably isn't capable of filling a 3rd guard off the bench role, if he even makes a team. It would be great to see the guy make a comeback, however unlikely.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Aug 24, 2006 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions

uggh

Typo city, if you will, above. My thoughts were - Jay Williams is lucky NBA teams still appear on his caller id log - and - It would be great to see him make a nearly impossible comeback to basketball (anywhere, not just the NBA).

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Aug 24, 2006 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions

No Doubt

Strong indications??? Are you kidding me? J-Will has been scratching and clawing his way through rehab, promoting his own comeback several times, and now that he finally has an offer, he's debating whether or not to take it? What's he going to do next? Buy a Yamaha FZ1 and go 'cruising'?

by Rodmaniac on Aug 25, 2006 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

as OldeBull told me yesterday

he's waiting out to get guaranteed money before they find out he can't play anymore.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Aug 25, 2006 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

They were going to sign him

the day after the draft. From my understanding, he was on a Nets plane flying to New Jersey on the night of the draft. He got to watch live on the plane Marcus Williams fall down to the Nets on the board. After they got him, they didn't have any need to sign him.

I'll be surprised if he's on any roster come November.

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Aug 24, 2006 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions