February 10, 2004
BY ROMAN MODROWSKI Staff Reporter
Jay Williams is returning to the NBA Rookie Challenge, but he'll be holding a microphone instead of a basketball.
Williams will be a sideline reporter for NBA-TV when rookies face second-year players Friday night to kick off All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. He also will provide analysis during Saturday's festivities.
Williams, 22, represented the Bulls in the Challenge as a rookie last season, but a devastating motorcycle accident on June 19 has threatened his playing career. He is trying to stay close to the game as he rehabilitates on Duke's campus in Durham, N.C.
"I would much rather be playing,'' Williams said Monday. "But there's nothing I love more than being around basketball. And I want to make sure I learn as much as I can now, so when I do come back, I'll be a smarter player.''
If Williams does make it back to the NBA, it's not certain what uniform he would wear. He recently reached a $3 million settlement with Bulls operations chief John Paxson for the remainder of his contract, meaning he currently is a man without a team.
"The settlement was difficult for both sides,'' Williams said. "John's a great guy. I've always had a lot of respect for him.
"I made a mistake, and my contract was in jeopardy. I got lucky with John helping me out. At the same time, he had to make the best decision for his situation because there's a lot of pressure on him to win now.''
The sides agreed that if Williams regains his NBA form, he'll give the Bulls the first shot at his services. But there is speculation the expansion Charlotte Bobcats might be interested in signing the former Duke star.
The Bobcats recently made an inquiry to the NBA to see whether they could sign Williams or any other free agent before July 1, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. The league did not say the Bobcats couldn't sign Williams, according to the paper. The Bobcats can't comment on specific players until May 4.
"A lot of people have been talking about that, playing for Charlotte,'' Williams said. "To be honest, I owe John a big favor. I'm going to give him the first opportunity.''
Williams said he still feels a connection to the Bulls.
"It's tough, but I still feel a part of the team a little,'' he said. "But I'm down here rehabbing instead of Chicago.
"It would be hard for me to be there right now because I get frustrated being around where I had the accident. But I'll be back in the second half of the season more. I plan to attend about eight or nine games.''
Williams said he no longer needs the aid of crutches or a cane to walk, and he expects to be jogging within the next two months.
"And I'm back to my playing weight of 195,'' he said. "I'm going to go slow. I don't want to rush it. But I'm feeling stronger and stronger every day.''
There will be a sobering irony this weekend as Williams reports on a game featuring Kirk Hinrich, whom the Bulls drafted to fill the void created by his accident.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Kirk,'' Williams said. "He's having a real good year. I'm glad he's playing this weekend.''
Williams is exploring other radio and television opportunities, perhaps including Duke games. But he considers it to be a hobby until he's ready to be on the other side of the microphone.