[Shaolin]

Originally posted by Chi159: <STRONG>Interesting. I’ve heard about that proposed trade before.</STRONG>

Yeah, you posted about it with that Sam Smith article. Except, that article didn't state if there were picks involved. There's no way Raef is worth the #4 pick overall. Maybe if Dallas throws in Van Exel. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Chi159]

Shaolin- Any thoughts on Kevin O’Neill becoming the newest Raptors coach?

These guys have no idea what they are getting themselves into. If Vinsanity is expecting a laid back atmosphere, he will be in for a major culture shock. O’Neill is a tough, demanding, and eccentric S.O.B. Not a practice goes by where he won’t get in the face of his players. It will be interesting to see how Toronto’s players deal with that type of coaching, especially Vince Carter.

[Shaolin]

I don't know about O'Neill. I've been hearing about his "in your face" style, but I doubt he'll be doing any of that with Toronto. It seems like all those college coaches who do well by screaming at their players in college, do real poorly at the pro level. I doubt the veteran players in Toronto will be taking much "smack" from a guy who's never been a head coach in the pros. As long as he can get Vince's ass in gear, I'll be happy.

[Chi159]

Bulls’ Williams Injured In Motorcycle Accident

Oh, man! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] What else could go wrong for the Bulls? My thoughts and prayers go out to Jay Williams and his family. ESPN hasn’t received the full report, but I heard that Williams has also sustained pelvic injuries. The fact that he’s going to be in surgery for at least 3 to 4 hours is not a good sign.

I first heard rumors about this story around 5:00, and then it was later confirmed that Williams was taken to a Chicago hospital in serious condition. I just hope he makes a full recovery. It would be terrible if something like this jeopardized his health and playing career. On a different note, this accident all but squashes any draft trade rumors involving him.

[ 06-19-2003: Message edited Chi159 ]

[Jordan23]

originally posted by Chi159: The latest trade rumor involves a sign-and-trade deal involving Jason Kidd going to Sacramento for Mike Bibby and Hedo Turkoglu. There’s no way I see this happening. Kidd either re-signs with the Nets or becomes a Spur this summer.

WHOAH I like them all threee players so I definitely don't want that trade to happend. I like Bibby and Hedo in Sacramento and Kidd to stay in NJ. I doubt Spurs will want Kidd now after the Finals, after all Parker showed great heart, so they'll probably end up staying like that.


Sucks to hear about Jay Williams, hope he's okay and recovers fast.

[Chi159]

Wow! Things aren’t looking too good for Jay Williams right now. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] The reason why his condition hasn’t been updated by the media is because his family has yet to release medical information. But from what I’m hearing, Jay could not feel his leg after the accident and had suffered major internal injuries. The Chicago media is reporting that more surgeries may lie in his future, as they don’t know how successful last night’s 5 ½ hour surgery was. Last I heard, Jay was in ICU and not in good shape.

This news sounds real bad. Much worse than the simplistic “broken leg” some media outlets were reporting last night. The talk going around right now is that Jay’s playing career is in SERIOUS jeopardy and that his accident could have painful, long-lasting effects on his daily life.

Here are some pics of the accident:

[Jordan23]

Dang that is not good at all..that bike is really messed up. Makes you wonder how fast he was going or what happend? [img]smilies/look.gif[/img]

[Hot Rod]

Sorry about Jay William`s accident Kathie. I also hope that it isn`t too serious, but judging by his family and the Bulls organization`s silence and the condition of the bike, it doesn`t look good. When i first heard about it, i wondered if the Bulls knew about Jay riding motorcycles, which could`ve lead to them putting in a clause in his contract forbidding him from dangerous activities like motorcycle riding.

[ 06-20-2003: Message edited The Keymaker ]

[Chi159]

Thanks, Hot Rod. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I know what you mean. I’m very concerned about Jay’s health right now, but I’ve got to wonder what he’s doing riding a motorcycle to begin with. It’s one thing to be young and feel invincible, it’s another to purchase something that puts your career, let alone your life, at risk. And to ride that thing in Chicago is the worst thing Jay could have done. Totally not the place. From what I’ve heard, a lot of Jay’s teammates knew that he rode motorcycles (Marcus Fizer even told him it wasn’t a good idea), so you’d think that perhaps management would have also known. If that was the case, it would have been in their best interest to put a clause in Jay’s contract against such dangerous activities. I’m sure more light will be shed on that question next week.

I also think it says A LOT that Jay’s parents aren’t releasing info. on his condition. Sources close to the situation say that not only did he mess up his leg (and even possibly shredded ligaments in his knee), but that he suffered major damage to his pelvis. That’s some serious stuff. The shock the body takes from running is cushioned by the pelvis. Coming back from that type of injury is very tough. Bo Jackson suffered something similar, along with hip problems, during his KC days and never fully recovered.

I’m not counting on Jay playing next season, or perhaps ever again, but one thing is for certain-- he’s got a LONG road ahead of him. Tough break.

[Chi159]

ESPN Insider reports that Chicago and Boston had a trade in the works before Jay’s accident that would have included the following:

To Boston: Jay Williams, Donyell Marshall, and Marcus Fizer

To Chicago: Antoine Walker

I have a hard time believing this proposed deal was legit, but thank goodness it didn’t happen! Not only would the Bulls be vastly overpaying for Walker’s services, but he would not be a good fit on this team. We already have a guy who likes to hoist up erratic shots, and his name is Jalen Rose. I’ve NEVER been a fan of Walker’s game, so I’m glad to see that such a deal never happened. And if these talks were for real, I would certainly hope that GM John Paxson wouldn’t seriously consider overpaying like that. That would concern me.

[Chi159]

This article from the Chicago Sun Times provides new details:

Surrounded by family, friends and team management in his hospital room, Bulls guard Jay Williams faced an uncertain athletic future and a long medical battle Friday, a day after sustaining serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. Officials with the Bulls and Illinois Masonic Medical Center declined to comment publicly on Williams' condition. But a source said Williams, 21, was listed in intensive care with injuries to his pelvic area, left leg and knee. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Williams had undergone one operation to repair nerve damage in his pelvic area and could require several more surgeries, including a reconstructive procedure on his left knee. Though several team sources acknowledged that the injuries threatened Williams' career, the source painted a more optimistic picture, saying the guard would miss next season but could eventually return. Visitors said Williams was conscious, responding to doctors and aware of the situation facing him. A Bulls source said specialists and team doctors could formulate a plan for further surgery as early as Saturday. The accident followed a turbulent rookie season for Williams, the national college player of the year from Duke, whom the Bulls chose with the second pick of the 2002 NBA draft. With his lightning-quick first step, clever ball-handling ability and marketable smile, Williams was promoted as the can't-miss kid who would team with Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry to lead the Bulls back to respectability. But Williams struggled on the court and acknowledged having trouble adapting to the professional game. New details were emerging Friday about the accident, in which Williams lost control of his motorcycle and hit a curb, then a pole near the intersection of Honore and Fletcher Streets on the North Side. According to Illinois secretary of state records, Williams had owned his 2002 Yamaha for only a week, having purchased it June 12 from the Chicago Cycle Center on North Western Avenue. Employees there declined to comment. Records indicated that the cycle was registered in Illinois and had temporary license plates valid through September. Williams was not wearing a helmet, police said. He was not cited for traffic violations. But Williams was not licensed to drive a motorcycle in Illinois or his native state of New Jersey, officials in both states said. Chicago police spokesman Dave Bayless said operating a motorcycle without proper licensing could lead to a citation. A friend said Williams had been riding to meet Kevin Bradbury, a college friend who works in public relations at Golin/Harris International. Bradbury was waiting with his own motorcycle near the accident site but didn't see the crash, the friend said. Bradbury accompanied Williams in the ambulance to the hospital. The standard NBA player contract bars motorcycle riding without team consent. A team official refused to comment on whether the Bulls knew about Williams' use of a motorcycle. A termination for breach of contract would be extremely unlikely, according to an NBA Players Association source. The team official refused to speculate on the possibility. Several of Williams' teammates said he had spoken openly of his fondness for motorcycles. One player said Williams had taken him to see a different model during the season. Those same teammates, though, reflected the mood of the organization Friday, talking in somber and subdued tones. "I still can't believe it," said Rick Brunson, one of Williams' closest friends from last season. "My thoughts and prayers are with him." Said Jamal Crawford, who competed against Williams for playing time at guard: "I couldn't sleep last night. I went to bed at 4 a.m. and got up like two hours later. I'm going to wait for the right time to see him, but I have to see my boy." Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, general manager John Paxson and coach Bill Cartwright were among the visitors to Williams' hospital room. His parents, David and Althea Williams, also held vigil, and Williams' Bay Area-based agent, Bill Duffy, flew in late Friday. Paxson issued a statement as the only official word from the organization. "The atmosphere at the Berto Center is one of shock and sadness," Paxson's statement read. "The last thing on our minds right now is basketball, and the foremost thought on our minds is that of Jay's health. We respect the privacy of the family and as time goes on we will be waiting for the family and doctors to report to us on Jay's status. The thoughts and the prayers of the Bulls family are with them." Team sources indicated the family might take the weekend to gather itself before making a statement. Those with knowledge of Williams' condition acknowledged he would face daunting rehabilitation but pointed out that another former Duke star, Bobby Hurley, returned to play after a horrendous car accident. "We know Jay's fighting spirit," Bulls guard Fred Hoiberg said. "He had a turbulent rookie season, but he fought through that and had a productive last quarter-season. You just hope it's not a career-threatening injury. Right now, as a teammate and friend, you just hope he's OK." Williams has been ticketed at least three times since January 2001 for speeding, reckless driving and unsafe operation of a motor vehicle in New Jersey and North Carolina, officials in those states said.

Not licensed to drive a motorcycle in Illinois, not wearing a helmet, has a history of speeding and driving recklessly... Wow! Not good. I would hope that Bulls management had some kind of idea about this stuff.

[ 06-21-2003: Message edited Chi159 ]

[The Daywalker]

Originally posted by Chi159: <STRONG>Bulls’ Williams Injured In Motorcycle Accident Oh, man! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] What else could go wrong for the Bulls? </STRONG>

Injuries suck, especially with a tradable commodity like Williams, he's got no future and was a waste of a draft pick, but they could have at least gotten some sort of coupon deal for him.

And Shaolin, "throw in Van Exel"? Rrrright. Ok, Dallas throws in Van EXel, if TO throws in Peterson and their first round pick. And cash considerations.

[Shaolin]

Damn, that's a tough break for Jay Williams. It would be sad to see his career cut so short.

Chris: I'd do that deal in a heartbeat. MoPete has underachieved his whole time here. I'd love having Van Exel play the point.

STARTERS:

PG: Van Exel
SG: Alvin Williams
SF: Vince
PF: JYD
C: Raef

That's a pretty good starting five.

[Chi159]

That would be a great line-up if Alvin Williams and JYD were coming off the bench. Besides, Raef would make a VERY weak center. As you can tell, I’m not a big fan of their games.

What is up with all these Sprewell to Toronto for the No. 4 pick rumors? [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] Grunwald would be a total idiot to even entertain this idea. The Knicks have screwed themselves by giving their old, underachieving players ridiculous contracts. I wouldn’t want my team to be the one to help fix that problem.

How about Sheed to T-Dot?

Chris- It looks like Jay Williams' career is all but over. I'm definitely concerned about the guy's well-being, but in that sense it was a waste of a draft pick. Especially considering that the Bulls were planning to trade him. According to the CBA, riding motorcycles is against the rules and is grounds for termination of contract. I can't see the Bulls doing that, but Jay had to know about this rule. That makes his decision to purchase a bike even more idiotic.

[NikNak]

Aww, that's too bad.

Damn! Look at that bike. Nasty accident.