Interview — Jazz's Williams discusses wrist, state of team, ball sticking, Nuggets' Anthony
Published on Feb 14, 2011 10:54AM
Excerpts from a media interview Friday with Jazz guard Deron Williams following a morning shootaround in Denver at the Pepsi Center.
Williams on the status of his wrist: I'm playing tonight. That's all you need to know.
Did the opponent affect his decision to play: … you know me better than that, man. If I can play, I'm going to play. It doesn't matter who it's against. I want to play basketball. It's been over a week, but it felt like a month. I just want to be back on the court.
Improvement in mobility of wrist: Yeah. I had it in this brace for the last three days straight; not doing anything to it; I got on a different medicine. It definitely helped.
Specialist say anything different: Not really. He said everything we're doing is pretty much right. After I got in the brace I wasn't moving it as much.
Does injury restrict you from doing anything: Nah. If it did, I wouldn't let you know.
Past success against Nuggets' Chauncey Billups: Well, Chauncey actually doesn't guard me that much. They always try to put bigger guys on me. I think I've had a little bit of success against this team because we get out and run a lot against them; we get some things in transition. I just think that allows me to be more aggressive, just from the start of the game.
Time limit: Not unless I start dying and I have to call for a sub because of this altitude.
All-Star snubs: You've got to look at Kevin Love. But their record is pretty bad, so you understand why he gets left off. But I guess he has a chance to make it for a replacement for Yao. LaMarcus Aldridge, too.
Increasing conference rosters to 15: It's up to Mr. Stern, I guess. I think it'd be great. A lot of people deserve it that get left off. You could argue Tony Parker, as well. His numbers aren't glaring. But you've got four people from Boston and you've only got two from San Antonio and they have a better record.
What the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony has been through this season: I don't really pay attention to it. I know Carmelo. He's a strong-minded individual. I don't think it bothers him at all, either. He just takes it for what it is.
Going through the same thing next season: Not really thinking about it. It's not on my mind right now.
Jazz playing harder during recent games: I think we've played hard all year. We just, we're just — I don't even know what to say. We're just struggling a little bit, as far as our execution and understanding things.
Raja Bell and Jerry Sloan talking about the ball sticking during offensive sets after home loss Wednesday to Houston; whether the problem can solely be put on Al Jefferson; and his take about the issue: No, you can't [put it on Al]. [Pause] You said it. I don't want to say anything that's going to offend anybody. We've just got to keep working; keep getting better; try to figure things out. It's been tough. It's been tough this year. It's different. That's all I can say.
Ball stick less if the floor is spaced better: Yeah. But like you said, a little bit that's Al's game. He likes to catch it where he's comfortable and back down a couple times; shoot his shots. I think our spacing is bad at times. Our execution, our timing is off on plays. [Pause.] Hope for improvement. That's all you can do.
— Brian T. Smith
Twitter: tribjazz
