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06-14-2002, 04:23 AM
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Jay Williams is talking as if he's already part of the Chicago Bulls.
"I can't guarantee that we're going to do the things Michael Jordan did, but I can guarantee that I'm going to work hard, try my hardest, and I'm never going to quit," Williams said Thursday at the start of his two-day visit with the Bulls.
"I'm not used to losing. That's something I'm going to love to bring to the table here. I look forward to that," he said.
The Bulls have the No. 2 pick in this month's NBA draft and are expected to use it on Williams, the college player of the year and a two-time All-American at Duke. Houston has the No. 1 pick, but the Rockets have made it clear they want 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming.
Houston general manager Carroll Dawson and coach Rudy Tomjanovich spent most of the week in China and left optimistic they can work out a deal that would allow them to get Yao.
Williams said he's kept track of Houston's negotiations but isn't worrying too much about it.
"I don't know how things are going to play out," he said. "Like the game of basketball, the ball bounces in a lot of different ways. You don't know if the ball will bounce your way or not, so I've got to wait for my time."
If things go his way, though, Williams will soon be back in Chicago for good.
He had dinner with coach Bill Cartwright and general manager Jerry Krause on Thursday night. He'll come back to the Berto Center on Friday for a workout and psychological testing.
Several of the current Bulls were expected to be there Friday to meet Williams.
"It's a great opportunity to work out for a program with such prestige," Williams said. "And it's such a dynasty."
Not recently. The team that won six NBA titles in the 1990s has been more like the HorriBulls in recent years. They were 21-61 this season -- and that was their best finish since Jordan left.
Asked how he'd like to play for a team that's rebuilding, the smile disappeared from Williams' face.
"Who says we're going to lose?" he asked. "I love it when a lot of people look down on us and don't have the expectations for us to be that team. It leaves nothing but room for improvement, and I look forward to that.
"It's a challenge I love to have, and it's going to be a challenge that I'm sure this team is going to love to have."
Besides, after seeing the six golden trophies at the Berto Center, Williams is inspired.
"I'd like to have more," he said. "I'm greedy. I'll take all I can get."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2002, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
"I can't guarantee that we're going to do the things Michael Jordan did, but I can guarantee that I'm going to work hard, try my hardest, and I'm never going to quit," Williams said Thursday at the start of his two-day visit with the Bulls.
"I'm not used to losing. That's something I'm going to love to bring to the table here. I look forward to that," he said.
The Bulls have the No. 2 pick in this month's NBA draft and are expected to use it on Williams, the college player of the year and a two-time All-American at Duke. Houston has the No. 1 pick, but the Rockets have made it clear they want 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming.
Houston general manager Carroll Dawson and coach Rudy Tomjanovich spent most of the week in China and left optimistic they can work out a deal that would allow them to get Yao.
Williams said he's kept track of Houston's negotiations but isn't worrying too much about it.
"I don't know how things are going to play out," he said. "Like the game of basketball, the ball bounces in a lot of different ways. You don't know if the ball will bounce your way or not, so I've got to wait for my time."
If things go his way, though, Williams will soon be back in Chicago for good.
He had dinner with coach Bill Cartwright and general manager Jerry Krause on Thursday night. He'll come back to the Berto Center on Friday for a workout and psychological testing.
Several of the current Bulls were expected to be there Friday to meet Williams.
"It's a great opportunity to work out for a program with such prestige," Williams said. "And it's such a dynasty."
Not recently. The team that won six NBA titles in the 1990s has been more like the HorriBulls in recent years. They were 21-61 this season -- and that was their best finish since Jordan left.
Asked how he'd like to play for a team that's rebuilding, the smile disappeared from Williams' face.
"Who says we're going to lose?" he asked. "I love it when a lot of people look down on us and don't have the expectations for us to be that team. It leaves nothing but room for improvement, and I look forward to that.
"It's a challenge I love to have, and it's going to be a challenge that I'm sure this team is going to love to have."
Besides, after seeing the six golden trophies at the Berto Center, Williams is inspired.
"I'd like to have more," he said. "I'm greedy. I'll take all I can get."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2002, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved