From Deseret News archives:

Utah Jazz: Williams still hopes to play in Jazz season opener

Published: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 12:04 a.m. MDT
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• Backup Ronnie Price starting in his place: "We haven't talked much about it. He knows what he has to do. He knows his game. He knows what Coach (Jerry Sloan) expects. And him and Brevin (Knight, the Jazz's other reserve point) are going to do a great job, if I'm not even playing. So, I'm not worried about it in the least way. I think they're more than capable of running a team, and it will be a good experience for them."

• The Jazz having a potential leadership void when he's out: "Just because I'm not hurt doesn't mean I'm not going to be with the team. I'm still going to be there. I'm still gonna be on the sideline. So, we're gonna have leadership. That's not gonna be a problem."

Williams, who is wearing a walking boot, said the ankle remains swollen and discolored, and his foot is swollen as well.

"It's some pretty-looking colors right now," he said.

Williams said he is receiving treatment for the injury twice daily at the Jazz's practice facility, and he is icing the ankle extensively. But he still can't put full pressure on his foot — making the chance of playing a week from now seem that much less likely.

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And that's what really has him down.

"I'm never happy to be out. I don't like missing games," said Williams, who played all 82 regular-season games last season. "So, I'm just gonna try to get back as soon as possible. They put that timetable, but if I can get back before that, then I'm definitely going to do everything in my power to try."

The fact the injury occurred in October and not early April alters that approach only slightly.

"I'm getting around-the-clock treatment, trying to get back as soon as possible, just like I would, probably, for the playoffs," Williams said. "I'd probably play with a lot more pain in the playoffs than I would right now, but I've still got seven more days before I know anything."

Jazz vs. Trailblazers

WHERE: EnergySolutions Arena

WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.

TV: KJZZ

RADIO: KFNZ 1320-AM


E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com

Recent comments

The Man needs to stop listening to the voices in his head.

Ing | Oct. 23, 2008 at 7:44 p.m.

The first three games are good opportunities to the players who need...

Another Jazz Fans in Asia | Oct. 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

SLOAN deserves all the credit for Williams being
such a great NBA...

The Man | Oct. 23, 2008 at 5:41 p.m.

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