Post by John on Feb 16, 2007 23:32:15 GMT -4
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer...
There's another Cleveland connection to the NBA's All-Star festivities.
Jawad Williams - the for mer standout forward at St. Edward High School in Lake wood - was named to play in the NBA De velopment League's All-Star Game on Saturday in Las Vegas, joining the Cavs' LeBron James and Damon Jones as part of the NBA All-Star weekend.
Williams, who is averaging 19 points and four rebounds in 33 games this season for the Anaheim Arsenal, considers being an All-Star a big deal.
"It's a great honor for me," he said from Anaheim, Calif., in a telephone interview. "I am blessed to be in the situation that I'm in now."
Williams will be playing in front of many NBA scouts on Saturday, which may lead to a call-up by one of the league's 30 teams. But that doesn't change his approach.
"I'm just approaching it like any other game," he said. "As far as the call-up thing goes, I'm not going to worry about it because I've been in that situation before. I'm not going to put any extra pressure on myself."
This season, every NBA team has contacted Williams' agent, but none have offered a contract.
Williams admits it has been tough watching many fellow D-Leaguers go to the NBA while he remains in Anaheim.
"It gets discouraging at times but there's nothing I can do about it," he said. "All I can do is go out and perform night in and night out. As long as I continue doing that, good things should happen."
After helping the University of North Carolina to a national title as a senior in 2005, Williams spent much of last season playing and polishing his game in Spain. Even though playing overseas was a good experience, Williams said it motivated him to give the NBA a try.
"I could have stayed overseas and made some money. But I wanted to come back here and take a shot at the NBA," Williams said.
Lance Blanks, Cavs assistant general manager, believes Williams' time in the D-League is short.
"Jawad is a talented player who is quite versatile," Blanks said before the Cavs' game with the Lakers on Thursday. "His pedigree speaks for itself. I think he is getting better. The fact that he is willing to stay and play in the minor league says a lot about him as a person.
"There are a few guys in the minor league who are close to being on an NBA roster and I'd consider Jawad one of those guys. Jawad is one of the better wings not in the NBA right now. It would not surprise me if he is called up at some point this season."
Williams is confident that he will make his NBA debut this season. "It's going to mean a lot," he said. "I don't care which team I play for. I know that once I get in the league, I can make things happen."
There's another Cleveland connection to the NBA's All-Star festivities.
Jawad Williams - the for mer standout forward at St. Edward High School in Lake wood - was named to play in the NBA De velopment League's All-Star Game on Saturday in Las Vegas, joining the Cavs' LeBron James and Damon Jones as part of the NBA All-Star weekend.
Williams, who is averaging 19 points and four rebounds in 33 games this season for the Anaheim Arsenal, considers being an All-Star a big deal.
"It's a great honor for me," he said from Anaheim, Calif., in a telephone interview. "I am blessed to be in the situation that I'm in now."
Williams will be playing in front of many NBA scouts on Saturday, which may lead to a call-up by one of the league's 30 teams. But that doesn't change his approach.
"I'm just approaching it like any other game," he said. "As far as the call-up thing goes, I'm not going to worry about it because I've been in that situation before. I'm not going to put any extra pressure on myself."
This season, every NBA team has contacted Williams' agent, but none have offered a contract.
Williams admits it has been tough watching many fellow D-Leaguers go to the NBA while he remains in Anaheim.
"It gets discouraging at times but there's nothing I can do about it," he said. "All I can do is go out and perform night in and night out. As long as I continue doing that, good things should happen."
After helping the University of North Carolina to a national title as a senior in 2005, Williams spent much of last season playing and polishing his game in Spain. Even though playing overseas was a good experience, Williams said it motivated him to give the NBA a try.
"I could have stayed overseas and made some money. But I wanted to come back here and take a shot at the NBA," Williams said.
Lance Blanks, Cavs assistant general manager, believes Williams' time in the D-League is short.
"Jawad is a talented player who is quite versatile," Blanks said before the Cavs' game with the Lakers on Thursday. "His pedigree speaks for itself. I think he is getting better. The fact that he is willing to stay and play in the minor league says a lot about him as a person.
"There are a few guys in the minor league who are close to being on an NBA roster and I'd consider Jawad one of those guys. Jawad is one of the better wings not in the NBA right now. It would not surprise me if he is called up at some point this season."
Williams is confident that he will make his NBA debut this season. "It's going to mean a lot," he said. "I don't care which team I play for. I know that once I get in the league, I can make things happen."