General Chaos
Gronko = Man Beast
STEVE RIVERA
Published: 06.14.2007
PHOENIX - With the 24th pick of the NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns choose . . . Marcus Williams.
It might be a long shot, but the former University of Arizona star was among four players who impressed the fast-break Suns and new general manager and president Steve Kerr in a workout Wednesday at US Airways Center.
"He's skilled; he can handle the ball,'' said Kerr, a former UA standout who has known Williams for some time. "He's got long arms, so he has the potential to play bigger than he is.
"I told him the biggest thing is his jump shot. He knows that he needs to continue to work on it. Everything we do here is predicated on spreading the floor. That's what he needs to work on, and that's what he intends to do.''
How would Williams like playing in Phoenix?
"I'd love it,'' said the 6-foot-7 forward who left UA after two seasons. "It reminds me of college because they really get after it. They push the ball and are high-scoring. The fans are great. Coach (Mike D'Antoni) is really good with his players, and the chemistry is great.
"There are so many things you can say . . . plus they win ballgames.''
Williams is projected by many Web site mock drafts to fall where the Suns have their first pick - at No. 24.
The other three players who worked out - North Carolina's Reyshawn Terry, UCLA's Arron Afflalo and Rice's Morris Almond - are all projected to go in the late first round or in the second round.
"This is right around our sweet spot,'' senior vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said, not speaking specifically of Williams.
As far as being a late first-rounder, Williams said: "I think I'll surprise people. I don't pay attention to the Internet. I've been working out really well.''
Since leaving UA two months ago, he's spent most of his time in Las Vegas working out and getting in shape. Phoenix was his sixth NBA stop, and he'll head east in the coming days to work out in New York and in Philadelphia later this week.
"I don't have a home base; I'm just moving around,'' Williams said of the nature of having to work out for a number of teams. "You carry your whole life in two bags. It's hectic, but it feels like an initiation. You have to make the trips and perform. Are you willing to put all that out there to make an NBA roster?''
By all accounts, Williams did well Wednesday in front of Kerr and Griffin.
Griffin said Williams' jumper "in all fairness is the weakest part of his game. I think he knows that. If you work hard enough in this league you can improve it.''
Williams said he's working on the jump shot and on handling the ball so he can be a possible shooting guard or a backup point guard in addition to a small forward.
"Whatever position,'' he said, "I'm just hungry to be out there.''
He knows many teams are asking about his character, something that comes up with a number of players in talks with potential employers.
"They want to know what kind of guy I am,'' Williams said. "They are investing a huge amount on you, so . . .''
So his suspension at midseason does come up.
"It was a curfew (violation), and I took responsibility for it and apologized to the team,'' he said.
Kerr characterized Williams as a good guy. Griffin said, "Marcus is a very bright kid and understands what he is as a player. He knows. It's a matter of him accepting it and going from there.''
Now, after all the workouts are done, it's whether a team - including the Suns - likes him and is impressed enough to draft him.
Published: 06.14.2007
PHOENIX - With the 24th pick of the NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns choose . . . Marcus Williams.
It might be a long shot, but the former University of Arizona star was among four players who impressed the fast-break Suns and new general manager and president Steve Kerr in a workout Wednesday at US Airways Center.
"He's skilled; he can handle the ball,'' said Kerr, a former UA standout who has known Williams for some time. "He's got long arms, so he has the potential to play bigger than he is.
"I told him the biggest thing is his jump shot. He knows that he needs to continue to work on it. Everything we do here is predicated on spreading the floor. That's what he needs to work on, and that's what he intends to do.''
How would Williams like playing in Phoenix?
"I'd love it,'' said the 6-foot-7 forward who left UA after two seasons. "It reminds me of college because they really get after it. They push the ball and are high-scoring. The fans are great. Coach (Mike D'Antoni) is really good with his players, and the chemistry is great.
"There are so many things you can say . . . plus they win ballgames.''
Williams is projected by many Web site mock drafts to fall where the Suns have their first pick - at No. 24.
The other three players who worked out - North Carolina's Reyshawn Terry, UCLA's Arron Afflalo and Rice's Morris Almond - are all projected to go in the late first round or in the second round.
"This is right around our sweet spot,'' senior vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said, not speaking specifically of Williams.
As far as being a late first-rounder, Williams said: "I think I'll surprise people. I don't pay attention to the Internet. I've been working out really well.''
Since leaving UA two months ago, he's spent most of his time in Las Vegas working out and getting in shape. Phoenix was his sixth NBA stop, and he'll head east in the coming days to work out in New York and in Philadelphia later this week.
"I don't have a home base; I'm just moving around,'' Williams said of the nature of having to work out for a number of teams. "You carry your whole life in two bags. It's hectic, but it feels like an initiation. You have to make the trips and perform. Are you willing to put all that out there to make an NBA roster?''
By all accounts, Williams did well Wednesday in front of Kerr and Griffin.
Griffin said Williams' jumper "in all fairness is the weakest part of his game. I think he knows that. If you work hard enough in this league you can improve it.''
Williams said he's working on the jump shot and on handling the ball so he can be a possible shooting guard or a backup point guard in addition to a small forward.
"Whatever position,'' he said, "I'm just hungry to be out there.''
He knows many teams are asking about his character, something that comes up with a number of players in talks with potential employers.
"They want to know what kind of guy I am,'' Williams said. "They are investing a huge amount on you, so . . .''
So his suspension at midseason does come up.
"It was a curfew (violation), and I took responsibility for it and apologized to the team,'' he said.
Kerr characterized Williams as a good guy. Griffin said, "Marcus is a very bright kid and understands what he is as a player. He knows. It's a matter of him accepting it and going from there.''
Now, after all the workouts are done, it's whether a team - including the Suns - likes him and is impressed enough to draft him.
