Didn't see this posted anywhere. If it has been, I apologize. NBA.com Mailbox of the Week Answers from Walt Williams The Rockets are fueled by the youth movement of their backcourt, namely the fiery Steve Francis, but find their stabilizer in veteran forward Walt Williams. Walt Williams ranks seventh in the NBA in three-point field goals per 48 minutes (3.62). In his 10th NBA season and third with the Rockets, the 6-8 Williams comes off the bench for support, but is also capable of exploding for big games. He scored 31 points in a win over the Blazers on Nov. 20, during which he hit 6-of-10 shots from beyond the three-point arc. This followed a 21-point performance in a win over the Mavericks on Nov. 17. So far this season, he has scored in double figures six times. Williams was the seventh overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Kings and spent more than three seasons in Sacramento before being traded to Miami. At the end of the 1996 season, he signed as a free agent with the Raptors, but would play only a season and a half in Toronto before becoming part of the trade that sent Damon Stoudamire to Portland. Williams then got packaged in another big-name trade right before the 1999-2000 season, when the Blazers traded him to Houston with five other players for Scottie Pippen. Williams and the newly acquired Glen Rice now provide the veteran leadership for the Rockets, with the next most experienced players having only been in the league for four years. Williams is also a screen veteran off the court, having appeared in the 1996 film Eddie and featured in Hootie and the Blowfish's video "Only Want to Be with You." Here are responses from Williams to a selection of fan e-mails: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With Steve (Francis) and Cuttino (Mobley) both missing time in recent weeks, what effect do you feel those injuries will have on the team goals of making the playoffs? Lee Angleton, Texas Williams: Because of them missing, we lost a couple of games, but it's early in the season and it's a long season, so we've got enough time to make up some ground. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I play ball, I wear my socks high because of you, and I wear a headband that says "Walter 42". Why do you wear your socks high? Gur Toronto, Ontario Williams: I started out doing it just playing around, watching "Iceman" highlight films. Then I had a great intrasquad scrimmage when I was in college and I kept it up ever since then. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have any superstitions centered around your game? And do you have any pregame rituals? Monica Houston Williams: I guess high socks would be a superstition and then I read a scripture before the game. Those two things. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wiz-o, I am a huge Rockets fan and I just love watching you play. I was wondering, how does it feel to be one of the older and veteran players on a team full of such young guys? And what type if things do you do to help the younger guys out both on and off the court? Julie Houston Williams: I just talk to them about my experiences that I've been through in my 10 years. It's a funny feeling for myself because it seems like just yesterday that I was one of these young guys in the league. So it's a different feeling being a veteran who guys look to as opposed to what I was earlier. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What do you think would be the main thing that brings your team together to win a championship? Obviously the Rockets are very capable of winning it with the players on the team and the coach. Jason South Williamsport, Pa. Williams: I think passing the ball. I think defensively we play well. We've got scorers at every position, going to the basket and shooting outside shots. So if we can just share the ball and play unselfish basketball and find the open guy, I think that will be key to us winning a championship. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Of all the teams that you've played for, which city were you accepted and embraced by the fans the most? Aubrey Sumter, S.C. Williams: That's hard to say because I've pretty much been embraced by every team I've been to. When we go back to the teams now, I still get chills from every team that I played for. I can't pick one over the other. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Throughout your 10 year career, what is your most memorable moment? Ryan Brampton, Ontario Williams: I guess playing in the Western Conference Championship with the Portland Trail Blazers. I think that's one of the highlights of my career right now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just wanna know what you think of Eddie Griffin and on how he's progressing. TK Davie, Ga. Williams: I think he's progressing very well. He's shown that he can shoot the ball from the outside. Guys have really been able to see that from him. I think if he can lift weights and get a little stronger, he's going to be a dominant player in this league. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is there a special connection with Steve Francis, Terence Morris, and yourself due to all three of you attending Maryland? Wesley Anaheim Hills, Calif. Williams: Well yeah, I think so. All of us are from that area, not only just going to the school. We have a special connection – just growing up in the same area, knowing each other before, on and off the court. So yeah, we do. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Walt Williams, I am a huge Rockets fan and I watch every game that comes on. My question is, how do you feel about MJ coming back? Was it a good or bad move? Hass Oxford, Miss. Williams: I think it's good for the NBA. The attendance is up for those guys and more people are watching the NBA, not only Michael Jordan, but just seeing other guys out there playing as a result. So I think it's a good thing for the NBA. For himself, it's something he wanted to do. He's come back. He's still a good player. So I think it's great all around. http://www.nba.com/chat_and_mailboxes/answers_williams_011204.html
