The Justin Williams situation

[WVF]

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/009061.html

* More than two weeks ago, it really seemed as if the sexual misconduct investigation on Kings forward Justin Williams was within days of reaching a resolution, so I'm wary to make any predictions.
Nonetheless, there may be reason to believe that it could finally reach an end within the next few days. As for what the resolution will be, Williams' attorney - William Portanova - has reiterated all along that he believes the case won't be filed and Williams will not face charges.

Lastly - and this is long overdue - it should be noted that KCRA's coverage of this case appears even more absurd now than it did when this situation began. From the Paparazzi approach in the driveway of Williams' home to the fancy graphic of Williams' and the team's whereabouts to the silly and sensational end to the report, it was over the top. And it's made even worse because it's KCRA - the folks who actually make the drive to Kings games at Arco Arena on a bi-monthly basis but funded Mike Teselle's flight to Albquerque, N.M. in a heartbeat.

 

[NewArena]

I dont see how that article hints at him coming back to the team at all, obviously it shows that this wasnt a real case to begin with but as far as him coming back to the team? I doubt it, from what i've heard alot of things with justins picture or name have been takin down and out of arco.

Im not saying there is 0% he comes back but with hawes just now getting minutes and watkins looking good in the little time that he gets, i just dont see how we would have space to fit the guy regardless of how we feel about some of our veteran "big men".

 

[DocHolliday]

I dont see how that article hints at him coming back to the team at all, obviously it shows that this wasnt a real case to begin with but as far as him coming back to the team? I doubt it, from what i've heard alot of things with justins picture or name have been takin down and out of arco.

Im not saying there is 0% he comes back but with hawes just now getting minutes and watkins looking good in the little time that he gets, i just dont see how we would have space to fit the guy regardless of how we feel about some of our veteran "big men".

Honestly I think it would be unfair for Justin to lose his position, especially if his name is cleared. Also, unless proven otherwise, Justin Williams was/is the best rebounder they have on the team. That's something he did consistantly everytime he came into the game.

 

[CalBears1]

All I know is that Justin is not listed as being a roster member of the Kings on the programs that are passed out before the games. Everybody else's name is listed(even suspended players) except for Justin's which leads me to believe that he will not be part of this team.

 

[DocHolliday]

All I know is that Justin is not listed as being a roster member of the Kings on the programs that are passed out before the games. Everybody else's name is listed(even suspended players) except for Justin's which leads me to believe that he will not be part of this team.

I don't disagree I just think it's unfair. That may be the one decision that Reggie made (if he had anything to do with it) that I don't agree with. I could understand that right from the get go he may want to avoid the spectacle and disruption, but someone is going to pick Justin up, and I believe we're going to see him flourish somewhere else.

I thought Justin was a good building piece for the future. He's an athletic, aggressive PF that can rebound, defend and was improving his mid range jump shot and free throw shooting. If he has one more solid season of working on those, I think you will see a really good, solid player in the making.

 

[fnordius]

All I know is that Justin is not listed as being a roster member of the Kings on the programs that are passed out before the games. Everybody else's name is listed(even suspended players) except for Justin's which leads me to believe that he will not be part of this team.

Well, let's assume for a moment that this is true, that he's going to be cut even though no charges are ever filed. Why would they wait until after he's cleared? If they had cut him at the same time as Shakur, saying that Watkins had performed so well that Justin was no longer needed, or something like that, they would have a slightly plausible excuse for their action. If they wait until the DA has dismissed the whole thing, justifying cutting him will be much, much harder. At that point, it would look like the Kings organization had engaged in a major act of bad faith. They didn't cut Webber when he was charged with a federal offense, even though it looked like he was probably guilty, nor did they cut him when he failed a drug test. If they cut a player who isn't even charged with anything, the message that sends is that money (guaranteed contract) is much more important than guilt or innocence.

Just as I'm unwilling to assume the guilt of someone who hasn't even been charged with anything, I am unwilling to assume that the front office is planning to act in bad faith. They may yet prove me wrong, but I hope, for the sake of the franchise, that they don't.

 

[Krunker]

The bee article says that Petrie is waiting for the conclusion of the investigation.

The article also says the police have to make the search warrant related documents public within 10 days of the warrant, which was quite a while ago. Were those ever discussed or did I miss it?

 

[fnordius]

The article also says the police have to make the search warrant related documents public within 10 days of the warrant, which was quite a while ago. Were those ever discussed or did I miss it?

I haven't seen anything on that. I'm pretty sure that they would have been searching for rohypnol, GHB, ketamine, or something along those lines. Because those are illegal to possess, and because no charges have been filed, I can only assume that they didn't find any intoxicant more exotic than alcohol.

 

[WVF]

Police forward evidence in Justin Williams probe to D.A.

Sacramento police have concluded their investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Sacramento Kings reserve center Justin Williams and have turned over their evidence to the district attorney's office, officials said Monday.

The decision of whether to charge Williams lies with the district attorney's office.

Williams' attorney, William Portanova, said he "absolutely" expects the district attorney's office to announce this week that it will not pursue charges against his client.

"Justin Williams did absolutely nothing wrong," Portanova said.

A spokeswoman for the district attorney did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

A Sacramento woman reported last month that Williams had assaulted her, according to Sacramento police. The woman told police she met Williams and another woman at a party the night of Oct. 11 before going to Williams' Natomas home with the couple, sources told The Bee.

According to sources, the woman did not have anything to drink before going to Williams' home. She reported having a drink there and feeling woozy, sources said.

The woman reported that Williams and the other woman tried to have sex with her, sources said.

By Ryan Lillis - rlillis@sacbee.com

 

[Glenn]

The woman reported that Williams and the other woman tried to have sex with her, sources said.

By Ryan Lillis - rlillis@sacbee.com

TRIED????

We need real facts or nothing at all.

 

[1kingzfan]

Well, let's assume for a moment that this is true, that he's going to be cut even though no charges are ever filed. Why would they wait until after he's cleared? If they had cut him at the same time as Shakur, saying that Watkins had performed so well that Justin was no longer needed, or something like that, they would have a slightly plausible excuse for their action. If they wait until the DA has dismissed the whole thing, justifying cutting him will be much, much harder.

Utterly, totally disagree.

Cutting Justin in the middle of the investigation sets up the team for a nice juicy unfair labor practice lawsuit (regardless of the real reason for the cut), if Justin is cleared. Even if Petrie WANTS to cut him for ability rather than the mess at hand, you would not do it until after the smoke clears from the investigation.

 

[Entity]

I he gets cut then so should Moore, SAR, Thomas and Watkins. As Justin is better at what we need than any other PF we have. We are getting next to nothing offensivily out of the PF situation bad thing the same can go for them defensivly and with rebounding and shotblocking. So why cut the guy you have under contract that can outrebound out shot block and out run any of the other worthless PF's we have at the moment.

 

[VF21]

This is about a LOT more than how he plays. Until the case is resolved, arguing about his value to the team is just silly.

 

[Glenn]

This is about a LOT more than how he plays. Until the case is resolved, arguing about his value to the team is just silly.

...... and who do you think this will stop?

 

[=LarryLegend=]

Sacramento police end investigation

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Sacramento police have finished their investigation into allegations that Kings center Justin Williams sexually assaulted a woman and have sent their findings to prosecutors.
Police spokesman Matt Young said it will be up to the Sacramento County district attorney's office to decide if any charges should be filed. He would not discuss the department's findings.
The district attorney's office was closed Monday for the Veterans Day holiday.
Officers searched Williams' home last month after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her there.
His attorney, William Portanova, has said the player and his girlfriend had consensual sex with the woman and that no crimes were committed.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/11/12/bc.bkn.williamsinvestig.ap/index.html

 

[VF21]

Note: I've merged a couple of threads since, other than the name of the publication, the information being released is pretty much the same.

 

[Mozart]

JW is still on the Kings' roster

Regardless the omission of JW on the Arco Arena brochure, JW is STILL listed on the Kings' roster, to wit:

http://www.nba.com/kings/roster/roster.html


I would be 100% surprised if JW was cut--the Kings need him badly and he'll get plenty of playing time if he produces the expected rebounds et. al. .


Theus' philosophy of playing player who actually PRODUCE on the court, rather than by standards of salary/experience is an excellent one, imo, as it would make it abundantly clear about which players are true producers and which ones are dead weight.


The ones who are dead weight--they can either be bought-out in a cut-the-losses move or can be kept for the time being so that they (not KT) can share their hard-earned wisdom/knowledge with the youngsters who would be putting in the minutes on the court. This way some value can be gained from an otherwise wasted money on more experienced, but unproductive players (e.g. SAR).

 

[Gary]

Amen Mozart!

JW produces. Meaning WHEN he is back he will play. I believe the team wil be a better team once JW is back. At least at the PF position

 

[DocHolliday]

In the more immediate future, not counting Bibby's Return a line up of

Beno/Garcia or Douby
Martin/ Garcia or Douby
Artest/Salmons
Justin Williams/Daryl Watkins
Brad Miller/Spencer Hawes

With that line up, the Kings suddenly get a lot better.

Bench is MUCH stronger with Justin Williams, Artest, and Hawes in the fold.