I hate to see something like this happen to a young player, but like it was mentioned, its not something you should do when your body is the money maker. They can sugar coat this all they want, but he'll never be the explosive player they thought he would become. In fact , I think his career is a done deal. The guy will not only have reconstructive knee surgery, but he had nerve damage in his pelvic area which isn't good at all. I remember the same thing happening to Ron Gant when he played for Atl and they voided his contract and he was never the same. I'm pretty sure there are clause in his contract about off the court career ending injuries.
At best, he will miss one full season...man, that totally blows. I feel really bad for him, but it really seems like he was very irresponsible in this situation, like Robbie said. Its an unfortunate situation, but he is very lucky.
i want to feel sorry for jay williams but i can't. i just get angry when i hear this kind of stories. forget him being an athlete or whatever, driving recklessly is just plain stupid. seriously, what was he thinking? its cool to drive real fast real dangerously? fucqing idiot. unless you're sure no ones gonna worry about your asz, dont temp fate. you're just gonna be a fucqing burden to them. i'm just sorry for his parents. hopefully they're okay. anyone remember what happened to dermarr johnson last offseason? it was his neck right?
Jay even dared to drive motorcycle without helmet, and, even worse, without a driving license. Actually I think driving w/o license is a criminal act!!
yeah man!!! It almost immediately reminds me of Hurley, who's also graduated from Duke. This is really sad. And, one article did mention that a witness saying s/he saw Williams screaming "I can't feel my legs!!!". Man!!! I hope he'll be just fine!!! God bless him.
His career is done, from what it sounds like in this article I got from MSNBC, his entire lower body got shredded to pieces. Regardless if he was riding a motorcycle, just read and pray for the guy, he needs it. http://www.msnbc.com/news/929005.asp?0cv=SB10
Bulls’ Williams reportedly almost had knee amputation Guard will undergo more surgeries after crashing motorcycle into a pole NBCSPORTS.COM NEWS SERVICES CHICAGO, June 20 — Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams suffered nerve damage so extensive to his left knee that doctors considered amputation, the Chicago Tribune reported Sunday, citing unnamed sources close to the situation. That drastic measure is no longer necessary, the newspaper reported, as the guard recuperates in intensive care following surgery to repair pelvic injuries sustained when he crashed his week-old motorcycle. THE BULLS WOULDN’T COMMENT on the extent of Williams’ injuries, and his family didn’t return phone calls from The Associated Press. But a source close to Williams, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said while the injuries were not life-threatening, they do jeopardize the 21-year-old’s playing career. Another source said Williams probably would miss the 2003-04 season but perhaps not more, the Tribune reported. Williams underwent surgery to fix nerve damage in his pelvic area Thursday, the Tribune reported. Any knee surgery required wouldn’t take place until next week, the Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times both reported. “The last thing on our minds right now is basketball and the foremost thought on our minds is that of Jay’s health,” Bulls general manager John Paxson said in a statement Friday. “We respect the privacy of the family and as time goes on we will be waiting for the family and doctors to report to us on Jay’s status.” Williams was riding a new Yamaha sportbike that he had purchased last week when it slammed into a pole Thursday afternoon on the north side of Chicago. The impact broke one of his legs, and a witness said she saw Williams laying about 10 feet from where his bike came to rest. Teammate Marcus Fizer said he had warned Williams of the potential dangers of riding a motorcycle. “I told him before, that may not be something that you want to do in your career at this time. Any number of things can happen to you,” Fizer said Friday. “I tell all these young guys who like to ride motorcycles that. A lot of them still do it, though.” After the crash Williams was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he underwent surgery. A spokeswoman at the hospital on Friday referred all inquiries to the Bulls. Paxson and coach Bill Cartwright visited Williams on Friday. Neither returned messages left by the AP. “I’m not worried about the team or what this does for our future,” Cartwright told the Chicago Tribune. “I’m just worried about the severity of his injury for his career. We just have to wait and see. Our thoughts are with him.” Chicago Police spokesman Wayne Frisbie said officers have been unable to interview Williams because the hospital is denying them access to him. Paxson told the Chicago Sun-Times that Williams’ injury will have an effect on how the Bulls tackle Thursday’s draft. We’re in a different position than we were a couple of days ago, in a lot of respects,” Paxson said. “We have to move on in terms of making a decision this week, but it’s going to be a different decision based on the roster now and based on thinking ahead. It changes a little bit.” “It’s coming up Thursday, so you have to be prepared,” Cartwright told the Sun-Times. “We’re aware of what’s going on and the tough time Jay is going through, so we’re not going to forget about him. ”[Changing strategy is] what we’re talking about. Pax is still listening to other teams, and we’re still talking.” Williams was the No. 2 pick last June out of Duke, where he was the AP college player of the year in 2002 and a two-time All-American. He averaged 9.5 points last season, and was a second-team All-Rookie selection. Great things were expected of Williams, who was believed to be the most NBA-ready of all the draft picks. He backed that up early in the season, recording his first career triple-double with 26 points, 13 assists and 14 rebounds on Nov. 11, 2002 against the New Jersey Nets. It was the first triple-double by a Chicago Bull since Michael Jordan in April 1997. But Williams struggled much of the season, eventually losing his starting spot to Jamal Crawford. Williams finished strong, shooting better than 60 percent from the field in six of his last seven games when he was paired with Crawford in the backcourt, and he vowed to build on that momentum in his second season. “I’m kind of in shock,” Crawford told the Tribune. “Jay and I were really looking forward to playing together and making some noise next season. Like everybody else on the team, I just hope he’s OK and recovers quickly.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I hate that such a promising talent's career is in shambles before it even began, but he shouldn't have been on that bike. From what I hear, that bike was far too powerful for a novice rider such as Williams. I guess my mother was right in always badgering me to get rid of mine. He did a very stupid thing and he will pay the price, unfortunately, for the rest of his life.
What was the name of the power forward who also broke his hip and died of a blood clot? Williams has a 50% chance of being a goner. Pelvic injuries lead to lethal blood clots half the time. Williams should have known better. As an athlete, his body is his temple. Just look at Kevin Willis. My guess is Chicago would void his contract. Also, do anyone remember during the draft that Williams got picked that some people were asking whether we should trade Francis for Williams? Thank god we didn't.
50% is high, I think, but I've heard that this is a problem many times. I don't think it's crazy, but I doubt Williams will die of a blood clot.
So I ma guessing you have never heard of blood thinners, like Cumodin? Blood clots are almost a normal occurance after any major injury or surgery. Due you know, if you break your leg and have to have surgey, which is almost certain, you will more then likely end up having blood clots, too. I know cuz its happened to me. And Kenyon Martin, too. Hakeem Olajuwon had to take blood thinners a while back and he didnt even have a major injury to cause it. It is lethal, but its is almost a normal occurance you cant run and hide from. So basicaly what your saying is partly non-sense. Let's instead just pray for the guy that he doesnt suffer a Pulmonary Embolism. (what blood clots can lead to and kill one faster than a heart attack) He is human and humans make mistakes, last time I checked. Who the hell cares about basketball at a time like this. A man's life is on the line. Just pray for him now, and ridicule him later when he is well enough to defend himself.
I think he's talking about rates for blood clots after such injuries, and maybe confusing that with death rates. hip replacement surgery is easily one of the worst injuries you can sustain to a hip. Change of a blood clot is very high, around 50%, if not higher. My mom was had to be readmitted for one after her surgery. But there are about .1% chance of developing a fatal pulmonary embolism. And these are mostly old people who are often overweight.
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot, and more often than not results from a clot in the leg after such an injury.
Like the Duke Coach said last night, Jay is actually in a good place mentally given that he was looking at death, amputation, and not being able to walk again. He's already jumped a number of hurdles. So while the rest of us are dwelling on the negative Jay Williams is already moving forward with his life. As most of us would.
in the Lung that is, yes I know. Blood clots can form, travel in the blood stream to the lungs where they can block arteries in the lungs leading to a sudden a droppage in oxygen levels and rising BP in the lungs. This can also cause permanent damage to the heart and lungs. This is what killed NBC news reporter David Bloom in Iraq, although it was determined that his clots were caused from long car rides, which can also cause this. In other words, its some pretty serious shiznit.
I do hope he recovers, but I can honestly care less about his basketball career. He should know better.
