Raps Looking To Add Jay Williams

Raps looking to add another Williams
By STEVE BUFFERY -- Toronto Sun

The Raptors appear to be trying to corner the market on NBA players named Williams.

General manager Rob Babcock said yesterday he is pursuing former Duke point guard Jay Williams, who did not play the past two seasons after suffering severe nerve damage to his foot following a motorcycle accident on June 19, 2003.

Babcock watched the explosive point guard work out last week in Chicago and also had lunch with the 2002-2003 Second Team NBA All-Rookie.

"We hit it off pretty good," Babcock said.

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The GM described Williams' recovery at about 85%, adding that the former Chicago Bulls star would be a valuable addition to any team if he's anywhere close to 100% healthy.

"He has made huge progress," Babcock said. "A year ago he was learning to walk again and to run, now he's back on the court."

Babcock does not believe that Williams, 22, is ready to step in and play in the NBA immediately, but he is hoping to sign him and have him at training camp, which begins Oct. 4 at Brock University in St. Catharines.

In 75 games with the Bulls, Williams made 54 starts and averaged 9.5 points per game (ninth among NBA rookies), 4.7 assists and shot 40% from the floor. He set the Bulls' career rookie record for three-point field goals with 65.

Babcock has been looking to add a solid point guard to back up and push Rafer Alston. He also signed Spanish national team point guard Jose Calderon this summer.

Williams, a free agent, already has worked out for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, and has a few more scheduled for this week.

The Raptors, who already have Eric, Aaron and Alvin Williams on their roster, have had Jay Williams on their radar screen since last season.

Babcock also has expressed interest in signing Utah Jazz point guard Keith McLeod but said yesterday he expects the Jazz to match any offer sheet the restricted free agent signs.

"The Raptors appear to be trying to corner the market on NBA players named Williams." says the article.


So I looked back in Raptors history from day one, the raps have never been without a williams!

95 Herb Williams
96 Walt W
97 Walt, Alvin W
98 Alvin
99 Alvin
00 Alvin, Jerome W (JYD, a fan favorite)
01 Alvin, Jerome
02 Alvin, Jerome
03 Alvin, Jerome
04 Eric W, Aaron W (Alvin still with team on IR)
05 Eric W, Aaron W, maybe Jay W? And Alvin still on IR.

Not that this really means anything, since Williams is a very common name many people have, but kinda interesting in a way.

Anyway, here's hopin' Jay W can help your team!

No wonder they sucked throughout their entire exsistance. It's the Williams' Curse.

I always wanted them to get enough Williams' so they could put them all out there as a starting line-up.

lol, that would have the most confusing commentaries ever!

Yes we have all the washed up Williams.

Aaron Williams = Has done nothing for us
Alvin Williams = Decent but has been hurt for so long
Eric Williams = Complains alot and is at the end of his NBA Career

Dare I say Jerome was the greatest Williams in Raptors history? That guy brought energy and real hustle, he was a lift. Alvin, bleh, you could do better than that in terms of PGs.. Rafer is a start.

Dare I say Jerome was the greatest Williams in Raptors history? That guy brought energy and real hustle, he was a lift. Alvin, bleh, you could do better than that in terms of PGs.. Rafer is a start.

I agree. JYD was the best William in a raptors uniform.

damn...thats a helluva lot of williams' in toronto! Jay Williams isn't very good so i don't think they'll sign him...

miami seems interested as well.. i think he had a private workout for them

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/bask ... ports-heat

i think miami is a better place for him to go, cause he has a chance to be a champion.

For Jay Williams, wining a championship may not be his priority. After what happened, he needs to regain his status as a NBA player. He may not get a lot of minutes in Miami, while he is sure to get a lot of minutes in a bad team like the Raptors. But i have no idea how much he has recovered from his injury but i wish him the best.

i agree. me too, i have no idea if he is fully recovered or not.

i agree. me too, i have no idea if he is fully recovered or not.

So first you think he'll go to a championship caliber team, and now you change your mind right? Jay Williams might not be his former self, but even after that accident I don't think it'll be a problem. We're only looking for a third stringer, and the more he recovers, the more of a bonus it is.

Jay Williams is probably heading to a team that can offer him playing time and hopefully a short contract, so that when he establishes himself again as a good NBA guard, he can cash in quite shortly...

This would be my thinking. I don't think that winning the title is on the top his list of priorities... I think he just wants to play and show people that he's still got it even after the accident.

Jay Williams isn't very good so i don't think they'll sign him...

Dude...

Jay Williams isn't very good so i don't think they'll sign him...

Dude...

Anthony15 clearly doesn't have a clue of who is this talk about... Jay Williams is certainly an asset for any team that signs him. Once he gets to 100% health, he can continue on what he had going on when he got hurt.

It was a damn shame when he got hurt...

He's still very young and has a good career ahead of him.

maybe he is not fully recovered or no where close to 100% cause if he was, a lot of teams would have contacted him and want thim in their roster.

Toronto can only offer him the minimun $500,000 right now.

Dare I say Jerome was the greatest Williams in Raptors history? That guy brought energy and real hustle, he was a lift. Alvin, bleh, you could do better than that in terms of PGs.. Rafer is a start.

i agree with you but i have to say that he also ties with alvin, hes been with the team since 97, hes gave it his all even through the good times and the bad times this team has been through, and it shows with the injuries. His knees have been bothering him but he only finally gave into the injury this season.

On a side note, now if we could just also add deron or marvin williams to that list...

maybe he is not fully recovered or no where close to 100% cause if he was, a lot of teams would have contacted him and want thim in their roster.

great post. i agree 100%...

metsis: williams had major surgery done to his hip and knee plus there was nerve damage. for a player who relied on athleticism as much as williams did, this is a huge setback for him, he probably won't be the same player as he was before, which wasn't that good to begin with

good for jay to be privately working out for teams but i want to see him play against and succeed against NBA competition. then maybe i'll change my cynical stance

well if Williams can only get 500,000 max from the raps then, the story might change.... i was thinking of a million for minimum, but 500 grand might be too little. We'll see.

No, William's agent has said that money would not be an issue, but Williams was looking more for a place that would fit the right situation for him. Hopefully that will be Toronto.

I hope he doesnt go to Toronto or Miami, coz if in Miami he wont get minutes and in Toronto, if he does, hes taking Skips minutes, which sucks....

I reckon LA would be a good place....

For some reason Jay Williams doesnt really strike a fire in my mind.. I dont think he's as good as they make him to be.. kinda like how they thought Brevin Knight would be a great pg..