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playa2
Posts: 34922
Alba Posts: 15
Joined: 5/15/2003
Member: #407
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Knicks 2003-04 Pre-season Profiles
Williams Ready for More in Second Year
by Tom Kertes
Frank Williams had a growth spurt this summer – not in height, but in improving his skills and confidence going into his second year with the Knicks. "This summer was very big for me," the second-year point guard says. "Bigger than big, in fact. Huge, both for my character, on and off the court, and for my development as a player."
His rookie year pretty much ruined due to a broken wrist suffered in Summer League competition, Williams returned with all guns blazing, viewing this summer as "his time". "I was out there, a veteran so to speak, both competing against AND leading younger guys," he smiles. "The responsibility did a world of good for me mentally -- and as a floor leader." Williams had a huge 35-point-scoring game against the Mavericks in Boston's Reebok League, but -- and if this is not a sign of maturity we don't know what is -- preferred his performance in the Rocky Mountain Revue in Utah (where he did not score quite as much). "I was more consistent," he says. "On a game-in, game-out basis -- and as a team leader -- I was better."
The very talented Williams has always struggled with the "scoring vs. pure point guard" conundrum -- perhaps because he was so very talented. In college, at Illinois, he was one of those point guards who would make one or two startling passes a game then -- he's never averaged more than 4.4 apg.-- he'd leave you yearning for more. "I've always felt that, as long as I know I can score on my man just as good as the next guy, I should score," he says. "But, yes, for the first time in my life I'm concentrating on becoming a pass-first point guard. Why? Well, the coaches are telling me that's the best way I can help the team win. So that is exactly what I'm going to do."
"It's not that difficult a transition -- at least not for me," adds Williams. "Look, out on the floor, everyone has a role. My role is to be vocal, to be a leader, to involve everyone, to make sure the right guy is getting the ball. Sometime I’ll be the right guy -- but my priority is to pass-first."
The change in Williams has not gone unnoticed by the most important observers. "I think Frank has improved significantly," Coach Don Chaney says. "Particularly in his shooting -- and in his feeling for the game." "The coaches told me to put more arc on my shot," says Williams. "And it has really helped a whole lot. I was knocking down shots over the summer and in practice that I would not be knocking down last year. As far as the overall thing goes....look, being a rookie, and with the injury and everything, last year when I would come into the game I would be kind of hesitant. I'm sure it looked that way, too. Now everything feels flowing, relaxed, much easier, more second-nature."
Still, even with the injury and all, Williams doesn't view last year as all bad. "It was a learning experience," he says. "I learned a lot by watching -- but I learned a lot. The guys -- Charlie (Ward), Howard (Eisley) even Allan (Houston) -- would come back to the bench, point things out to me. You know, a 'look what they're doing, this is what you do to counter this, you're doing this right or wrong' kind of thing. They'd be communicating with me all the time -- and it was invaluable."
Williams sees "character" as an extremely essential asset for a player. "You're in the NBA, so little kids, sometimes even adults, will be looking up to you," he says. "You are an example. It's a great responsibility that comes with the territory -- so you'd better behave the professional way. It's the same thing on the court. Character -- not getting too high or too low, not losing your composure, being a team-first guy -- will help you become a better player."
"Really, I'm fine with what happened last year," says Williams. "Who knows? Even if I didn't have the injury, I might very well have been in the same predicament of watching and learning. You accept it -- that's part of character. But this year, I feel I'm ready. Ready to contribute in any way, ready to help this team win. Whether it's as a backup, third-stringer, or starter, it does not matter. That's up to the coaches. They've been very encouraging, telling me to keep playing the way I'm playing."
"So, whatever cards I'm dealt, I'll be okay. I'll be ready to perform."
"With the three rookies and Keith Van Horn, we have the potential to be a better team than last year," adds Williams. "Maybe much better. I think Mike (Sweetney) and Maciej (Lampe) are right there, and Slavko (Vranes) could be just a great inside player -- exactly what we need -- in a couple of years. We'll be bigger, quicker, more versatile -- for sure, we could do some business in the playoffs."
"And, yes, I feel that I could be a significant part of all this. To be completely honest with you, I can't wait."
JAMES DOLAN on Isiah : He's a good friend of mine and of the organization and I will continue to solicit his views. He will always have strong ties to me and the team.
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9/2/2003 12:32 PM
Go back and read the threads.