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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12495908p-13351627c.html
Ailene Voisin: Corliss returns, ready to contribute
By Ailene Voisin
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, March 2, 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Corliss Williamson sort of came back when no one was looking. He was the small print in the Philadelphia story, subject of the behind-the-scenes chatter even in Sacramento, this one-time King packaged in the daring swap that was portrayed by many experts/observers as a three-for-one trade.
You know the deal. The 76ers acquiring Chris Webber, the Kings obtaining ... who exactly?
Yet having been around the league a few times, Williamson takes no offense. He just grins and takes it all in. The life of an NBA journeyman remains a lucrative, enviable, often productive existence; you just learn to keep your luggage and your loved ones close.
"Initially, yeah, it was a little strange to be traded again," he said, softly, after the injury-plagued Kings faltered against the expansion Bobcats, of all teams, Tuesday night at the half-empty Coliseum. "(But) it won't be weird. I know Peja (Stojakovic) is the starter. I don't have any problem with coming off the bench. That's been my role the last six years. I just want to contribute whatever way I can - rebounding, defense, offense when we need it.
"The biggest thing for me is having to be without my wife (Michelle) and boys for a few weeks. We're expecting our third son in May. But you have to accept things and move on."
Toronto. Detroit. Philadelphia. Not exactly the golden triangle. Yet other than his miserable, if mercifully brief tenure with the Raptors, where he was essentially frozen out of the rotation, Williamson has enjoyed the trip. His time in Detroit was a delight, and last season he captured a ring he cherishes more than his NCAA bling "because there is only one world champion."
Subsequently, he eased into the fierce pace of Philly, where fans eat sticks and stones and spew venom with minimal provocation.
And while the most recent trade remains a hot topic, the ongoing debate about whether Geoff Petrie's latest gamble is a panacea or merely a short-term solution for lousy defense, rebounding and salary-cap woes, it also overshadows the fact Williamson is a versatile, accomplished player. An improved player. An underrated player, according to Kings assistant Pete Carril, who already has begun urging his former pupil to start getting more elevation on his jump shot.
Some things never change. In an era when forwards are classified either threes or fours, not simply players with multiple talents, Williamson's characteristics continue to defy NBA convention. At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, with a frame of imprecise dimensions - thick calves and limbs that are neither long, nor part of a particularly imposing presentation - he nonetheless projects himself into the picture frame.
His contributions against the Bobcats were typical of talents he believes have been refined, enhanced by the experience of playing in different systems. He tossed in half-hooks, banked in 10-footers, finished on the break, spun loose for a timely three-point play.
All three newcomers contributed significantly, in fact, with Brian Skinner continuing to impress with his muscular defensive presence and eager pursuit of rebounds, and the active, athletic Kenny Thomas snatching 12 boards. No, the Kings' downfall can be attributed primarily to the injuries, perhaps to a post-trade hangover, to the six turnovers by Cuttino Mobley and another eight by the normally reliable Mike Bibby.
Bibby's struggles were especially surprising. These were the Bobcats, an expansion team that has won only 12 games and has yet to win over its own community. The buzz around here has long since been silenced, although it is hoped to be reawakened when the franchise moves into its new uptown arena in the fall.
Even intensely competitive coach Bernie Bickerstaff on most nights is left pointing to the future and dropping one-liners about the present.
"Probably the worst thing that happened to us is that we got respect," Bickerstaff said. "Nobody sleeps on us."
Except the Kings. They were caught napping. Their emotionally exhausting trip resumes tonight in Orlando, where Hedo Turkoglu and Doug Christie await, which means no respite in sight. No escaping the swap factor this week, either. Christie, acquired from Toronto for Williamson. Turkoglu, traded in the deal for Brad Miller. But finally, late Friday, this team of strangers will return to a place called home. It can't happen soon enough.
Ailene Voisin: Corliss returns, ready to contribute
By Ailene Voisin
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, March 2, 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Corliss Williamson sort of came back when no one was looking. He was the small print in the Philadelphia story, subject of the behind-the-scenes chatter even in Sacramento, this one-time King packaged in the daring swap that was portrayed by many experts/observers as a three-for-one trade.
You know the deal. The 76ers acquiring Chris Webber, the Kings obtaining ... who exactly?
Yet having been around the league a few times, Williamson takes no offense. He just grins and takes it all in. The life of an NBA journeyman remains a lucrative, enviable, often productive existence; you just learn to keep your luggage and your loved ones close.
"Initially, yeah, it was a little strange to be traded again," he said, softly, after the injury-plagued Kings faltered against the expansion Bobcats, of all teams, Tuesday night at the half-empty Coliseum. "(But) it won't be weird. I know Peja (Stojakovic) is the starter. I don't have any problem with coming off the bench. That's been my role the last six years. I just want to contribute whatever way I can - rebounding, defense, offense when we need it.
"The biggest thing for me is having to be without my wife (Michelle) and boys for a few weeks. We're expecting our third son in May. But you have to accept things and move on."
Toronto. Detroit. Philadelphia. Not exactly the golden triangle. Yet other than his miserable, if mercifully brief tenure with the Raptors, where he was essentially frozen out of the rotation, Williamson has enjoyed the trip. His time in Detroit was a delight, and last season he captured a ring he cherishes more than his NCAA bling "because there is only one world champion."
Subsequently, he eased into the fierce pace of Philly, where fans eat sticks and stones and spew venom with minimal provocation.
And while the most recent trade remains a hot topic, the ongoing debate about whether Geoff Petrie's latest gamble is a panacea or merely a short-term solution for lousy defense, rebounding and salary-cap woes, it also overshadows the fact Williamson is a versatile, accomplished player. An improved player. An underrated player, according to Kings assistant Pete Carril, who already has begun urging his former pupil to start getting more elevation on his jump shot.
Some things never change. In an era when forwards are classified either threes or fours, not simply players with multiple talents, Williamson's characteristics continue to defy NBA convention. At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, with a frame of imprecise dimensions - thick calves and limbs that are neither long, nor part of a particularly imposing presentation - he nonetheless projects himself into the picture frame.
His contributions against the Bobcats were typical of talents he believes have been refined, enhanced by the experience of playing in different systems. He tossed in half-hooks, banked in 10-footers, finished on the break, spun loose for a timely three-point play.
All three newcomers contributed significantly, in fact, with Brian Skinner continuing to impress with his muscular defensive presence and eager pursuit of rebounds, and the active, athletic Kenny Thomas snatching 12 boards. No, the Kings' downfall can be attributed primarily to the injuries, perhaps to a post-trade hangover, to the six turnovers by Cuttino Mobley and another eight by the normally reliable Mike Bibby.
Bibby's struggles were especially surprising. These were the Bobcats, an expansion team that has won only 12 games and has yet to win over its own community. The buzz around here has long since been silenced, although it is hoped to be reawakened when the franchise moves into its new uptown arena in the fall.
Even intensely competitive coach Bernie Bickerstaff on most nights is left pointing to the future and dropping one-liners about the present.
"Probably the worst thing that happened to us is that we got respect," Bickerstaff said. "Nobody sleeps on us."
Except the Kings. They were caught napping. Their emotionally exhausting trip resumes tonight in Orlando, where Hedo Turkoglu and Doug Christie await, which means no respite in sight. No escaping the swap factor this week, either. Christie, acquired from Toronto for Williamson. Turkoglu, traded in the deal for Brad Miller. But finally, late Friday, this team of strangers will return to a place called home. It can't happen soon enough.
