Olson: Spurs ‘perfect’ for Williams
Defending NBA champs will help 33rd pick improve his shot, UA coach says
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/sports/56068.php
STEVE RIVERA
Tucson Citizen
Marcus Williams’ gamble to leave Arizona early didn’t pay off with a first-round pick, but going to San Antonio might make him a better NBA player in the long run.
He was drafted in the second round - the 33rd overall pick - by the defending NBA champion Spurs, who Arizona coach Lute Olson said should help improve Williams’ shot.
"I feel good about it, real positive,‘’ Williams said in a phone interview.
The 6-foot-7 forward, who left after his sophomore year, was the only Wildcat drafted. Mustafa Shakur and Ivan Radenovic will try to go the free-agent route or play overseas.
Olson called the Spurs “the perfect team” for Williams.
“They have some wing players who are older and it will give Marcus time to develop,” Olson said in a news release. “It’s also good because, in my opinion, Chip Engelland is the best shooting coach in the country and he’s a member of San Antonio’s coaching staff. Before it started, it was my hope that Marcus would be picked by San Antonio.”
How Does Williams fit in with the Spurs, who have won four NBA titles since 1999?
"We have got a pretty veteran team with some players who are nearing the end of their careers,‘’ Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said in a phone interview. "We hope that adding a young wing with a lot of talent could grow in our program. We’ll see what happens.‘’
Williams had an inkling he might go to San Antonio after a good workout there. Still, the Spurs bypassed him with the 28th pick in the first round, grabbing forward Tiago Splitter of Brazil.
There are reports Splitter might not be with the Spurs next season because he must buy out his Brazilian contract, which is said to be excessive.
That might give Williams a better shot of making the roster.
“It went really well,” he said of his workout with the Spurs. "I liked the coaching staff and everything.‘’
First-round draftees are guaranteed money for two years at a minimum of about $720,000 a season.
Those picked in the second round are not, unless their agent can find a way to get a guarantee.
Two years ago, former UA guard Salim Stoudamire was chosen with the 31st pick (the second round) and landed a guaranteed contract.
Shortly after the first round was over Thursday, ESPN analysts criticized underclassmen who declared early but were not drafted in the first round.
"Who is advising them?‘’ one analyst asked.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas spoke well of Williams.
"He has very good size for a small forward,‘’ Bilas said. 'He’s a good offensive player and versatile scorer. He moves without the ball and is almost fearless on the offensive end.
"He’s not a great 3-point shooter, in fact not a 3-point shooter at all.
"The question is, what is his commitment going to be on defense and on the glass? If he can improve his strength and work ethic, I think he has a chance to be a really solid NBA player.‘’
Williams, a Seattle native, declared for the NBA in April and decided to stay in the draft pool, after being convinced or convincing himself he’d be a first-round pick. He averaged a team-leading 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds a game last season.
Williams could be helped with his transition by the presence of former Arizona star Sean Elliott, who had a successful career with the Spurs and is a radio analyst for the team.
Throughout Williams’ rookie season, Olson often compared Williams to Elliott, citing their composure and similarity in game style.
"I hope he is right,‘’ Buford said. "Sean is a two-time all star, (but) it would be unfair for me to compare him to anyone. He needs to come in and be Marcus, work hard, improve and be part of our culture and be a part of this thing.‘’
Former Wildcat star guard Steve Kerr helped San Antonio win a title in 1999.
Kerr is now the general manager in Phoenix.
"Arizona has quite a connection to the Spurs,‘’ Buford said. "We’ve had some good luck so we’re going to try it again.‘’