http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/147397.html
Ailene Voisin: Take time to appreciate the always steady Corliss
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 1:06 am PDT Saturday, March 31, 2007
For the better part of his career, Corliss Williamson has gone down this same road every night. He arrives two hours before tipoff, slips out of his casual ensemble of T-shirts and jeans -- and, appropriately, sometimes even denim overalls -- and quietly prepares to do his job. He receives treatment for assorted nagging ailments. He chats with reporters. He attends chapel. He participates in warmups. He signs autographs for fans waiting near the court. He confers with teammates, offering advice when asked. Then he retires to the bench and awaits the coach's call.
On nights when he's summoned, he's ready and eager to play.
On nights when he sits, he's still ready and eager to play.
Not much changes with Corliss. Even when free agency encroaches, his future employment status as uncertain as it is now, he remains an unwavering presence, an invaluable asset in every locker room he occupies. Sacramento. Toronto. Detroit. Philadelphia. Sacramento again.
If he never really lived up to the nickname acquired during his college years at Arkansas, it's only because, at 6-foot-7 and a compact 245 pounds, "The Big Nasty" isn't big by NBA standards, and by anyone's standards, he doesn't possess more than a few ounces of nastiness.
Once or twice he has landed an elbow. Occasionally, he has delivered a punch. But he has never tossed a television, slapped a press table, enraged his fans, engaged in profane exchanges with coaches or critics, or done anything else to harm the image of his family or his profession. For the most part, the 12-year veteran has remained the same -- unaffected and unassuming, and appreciative of his opportunities.
"In my 21 years with the organization," Kings player personnel director and current television analyst Jerry Reynolds said before his club inched closer to elimination with Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, "I'd put Corliss among the top five players we've had here just in terms of being good people. He's so special, so much like Vlade (Divac). Just such a pro. I have never seen him not work hard at practice or in a game, and it hasn't always been easy."
Since being selected by the Kings with the 13th overall pick in 1995, Williamson, 33, has experienced an interesting series of incarnations. He is a "tweener" in the parlance of the NBA, one of those players who doesn't fit neatly into the category of small or power forward. Yet because of his unusual combination of body type, skills and work ethic, he consistently has found a niche. He has been a starter, a reserve, the best sixth man in the league. He has been the best scorer on a bad team, a role player on a championship team (the 2004 Detroit Pistons). And he has always been an immensely popular figure, particularly here in Sacramento. Few current or past Kings are applauded as enthusiastically when entering or leaving a game.
"People here watched me grow from a baby into a man," Williamson said, with a smile. "The other day some guy came up to me and said, 'Wow, I remember when you were just a rookie.' It gets you thinking. There are good memories here."
But better enjoy him now, because he probably won't be around much longer. His multiyear contract is expiring, and given his age and the current free-agent market, he anticipates securing a three-year deal elsewhere. Though tempted to remain in Sacramento at a significantly reduced salary, Williamson is intrigued by the prospect of signing with a contender and having a legitimate chance at a second championship.
"This has been a good year for me individually," said Williamson, referring to his rebirth after last year's season-long benching, "but the season has been disappointing. We all know we underachieved. Those are the things I have to weigh, and I know it's only a few weeks away. I'm trying not to think about it."
Nodding toward his son, 11-year-old Chase, he sighed.
"Three more years," he said, "and that will be it."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
Ailene Voisin: Take time to appreciate the always steady Corliss
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 1:06 am PDT Saturday, March 31, 2007
For the better part of his career, Corliss Williamson has gone down this same road every night. He arrives two hours before tipoff, slips out of his casual ensemble of T-shirts and jeans -- and, appropriately, sometimes even denim overalls -- and quietly prepares to do his job. He receives treatment for assorted nagging ailments. He chats with reporters. He attends chapel. He participates in warmups. He signs autographs for fans waiting near the court. He confers with teammates, offering advice when asked. Then he retires to the bench and awaits the coach's call.
On nights when he's summoned, he's ready and eager to play.
On nights when he sits, he's still ready and eager to play.
Not much changes with Corliss. Even when free agency encroaches, his future employment status as uncertain as it is now, he remains an unwavering presence, an invaluable asset in every locker room he occupies. Sacramento. Toronto. Detroit. Philadelphia. Sacramento again.
If he never really lived up to the nickname acquired during his college years at Arkansas, it's only because, at 6-foot-7 and a compact 245 pounds, "The Big Nasty" isn't big by NBA standards, and by anyone's standards, he doesn't possess more than a few ounces of nastiness.
Once or twice he has landed an elbow. Occasionally, he has delivered a punch. But he has never tossed a television, slapped a press table, enraged his fans, engaged in profane exchanges with coaches or critics, or done anything else to harm the image of his family or his profession. For the most part, the 12-year veteran has remained the same -- unaffected and unassuming, and appreciative of his opportunities.
"In my 21 years with the organization," Kings player personnel director and current television analyst Jerry Reynolds said before his club inched closer to elimination with Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, "I'd put Corliss among the top five players we've had here just in terms of being good people. He's so special, so much like Vlade (Divac). Just such a pro. I have never seen him not work hard at practice or in a game, and it hasn't always been easy."
Since being selected by the Kings with the 13th overall pick in 1995, Williamson, 33, has experienced an interesting series of incarnations. He is a "tweener" in the parlance of the NBA, one of those players who doesn't fit neatly into the category of small or power forward. Yet because of his unusual combination of body type, skills and work ethic, he consistently has found a niche. He has been a starter, a reserve, the best sixth man in the league. He has been the best scorer on a bad team, a role player on a championship team (the 2004 Detroit Pistons). And he has always been an immensely popular figure, particularly here in Sacramento. Few current or past Kings are applauded as enthusiastically when entering or leaving a game.
"People here watched me grow from a baby into a man," Williamson said, with a smile. "The other day some guy came up to me and said, 'Wow, I remember when you were just a rookie.' It gets you thinking. There are good memories here."
But better enjoy him now, because he probably won't be around much longer. His multiyear contract is expiring, and given his age and the current free-agent market, he anticipates securing a three-year deal elsewhere. Though tempted to remain in Sacramento at a significantly reduced salary, Williamson is intrigued by the prospect of signing with a contender and having a legitimate chance at a second championship.
"This has been a good year for me individually," said Williamson, referring to his rebirth after last year's season-long benching, "but the season has been disappointing. We all know we underachieved. Those are the things I have to weigh, and I know it's only a few weeks away. I'm trying not to think about it."
Nodding toward his son, 11-year-old Chase, he sighed.
"Three more years," he said, "and that will be it."
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com.
