wilks/ steve

AMS · Jan 2, 2004

Its amazing how in 8 minutes of play time he has gone from a scrub to being compared to one of the better players in the NBA. Real amazing. SamFisher said it best

"that kind of karma results in long term contracts"
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I'll bet this board was hyped up the same way when Moochie took over backup PG reins from Bryce drew and brent price.

Life2Def · Jan 2, 2004

...5'7? then Calvin Murphy must be shorter because in that halftime clip, he was standing right next to Calvin and was about a good two inches taller.

Rockets2K · Jan 3, 2004

Wilks out to make most of chance

Ewing's words help Rockets' reserve point guard shake off nerves against 76ers

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

The first phone call came from Jeff Van Gundy and left Mike Wilks stunned. Van Gundy called every Rockets player that night to tell them about the trade, but even if Van Gundy didn't say it, Wilks knew his career was about to change.

"It was a huge shock," Wilks said. "I was at the mall. I just stood there for a moment with my mouth wide-open."

He could not stay quiet long. The trade of Moochie Norris to New York on Tuesday night elevated Wilks from unused apprentice to backup point guard behind Steve Francis. Soon after Van Gundy hung up, Wilks' phone rang again and again as word of the trade spread.

There was excitement in familiar voices, prayers and best wishes. This would not be Wilks' first chance. He played for the Hawks and Timberwolves last season. But every time that phone rang, he knew this could be his best chance. By the time the Rockets played the 76ers on Wednesday night, Wilks was a wreck.

"The first half, my head was spinning," the 5-11 Wilks said. "It seemed like everything was moving so fast. I was trying to think of everything I needed to do out there."

After all the calls in the previous 24 hours, Wilks needed one more conversation. And instead of the excited voices of friends, he needed to hear the calming influence from someone who had been there.

"The second half, (assistant coach) Patrick Ewing pulled me to the side," Wilks said. "He said, `Hey man, you look kind of nervous out there.' I said, `For real?' He said, `How long have you been playing basketball.' I said, 'since I was 6 or 7 years old.'

"He said, `just go out there, relax, and do what you've been doing.' I went out there in the second half, tried to relax and I just thank God my shooters were hitting their shots."

Wilks did nothing spectacular in his second stint in the game, but that might have been the point. He seemed in command, making decisions coolly. The 76ers rushed into a half-court trap. Wilks handled it. He found Cuttino Mobley for a 3-pointer and Eric Piatkowski for another.

"I'm thankful that the guys respect me enough," Wilks said. "But that's my job to go out there and get guys in their spots, and that's what coach is looking for me to do. Any point guard has to be the floor general, to make sure guys are in their spots, to be running the plays that he would like us to run. That's what he wanted us to do."

Wilks, in his third professional season since graduating from Rice, finished his eight-minute night with three rebounds, two assists and a steal. But the statistic that might have been most encouraging was 14-4, the Rockets' scoring margin during Wilks' five-plus fourth-quarter minutes.

"It was great," Wilks said of the experience. "Hopefully it increases the confidence of my teammates in me and the coaching staff in me, that they'll feel comfortable putting me out there in those situations. I think coach is just giving me the opportunity. The game was close, and he had enough confidence to put me out there and take a chance on me. I was fortunate that things worked out.

"I can't get too high and can't get too low. It's a long season. I've got a lot to learn, a lot of improvements to make. Hopefully I can build from this game."

Van Gundy said Wilks did not necessarily need to prove anything in his first game since the trade. Wilks had enough moments with the Hawks and Timberwolves for Van Gundy to know he can be effective.

But his role on those teams was temporary from the start. The Hawks signed him to 10-day contracts. The Timberwolves needed him merely to fill in for injured players.

The Rockets brought Wilks, 24, to training camp with a non-guaranteed contract but with the intention he would be the third point guard. Van Gundy said he would use Jim Jackson or Mobley at the point if he needed another backup. The Rockets could consider the 10-day option next week. But for now, Wilks has a chance to carve out his first niche in the NBA.

"I really haven't played much at all this year," Wilks said. "We're 30 games into the season, and you go from being on the (injured list), getting healthy and then not playing. And now you're the backup point guard. You have a lot more nervous energy going from the third point guard to the second point guard.

"I wanted to show (Van Gundy) that hopefully I can build from this opportunity that he gives me. Hopefully I played well enough to give him more confidence that he'll feel comfortable putting me in the game. That's what you want. You want your teammates and the coaching staff to feel comfortable and know that they can depend on you to go out there. That's what I was trying to prove.

"It's only one game, and it's a long season. Hopefully I'll be around all season and just improve each and every game, learn from my mistakes and make improvements. And hopefully help this team to win."

Do all that and his phone really will start ringing.
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gotta love his attitude towards the responsibilities of the position...hope he can be a good backup for us.

Rockets2K · Jan 3, 2004

ugh, forgot the link

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/rox/2331525

hooroo · Jan 3, 2004

a recent article has wilkes listed as being 5-11

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wilks/ steve

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