Late this morning, I was able to speak with Jason Williams among the media, who dropped by the RDV SportsPlex to answer questions. First and foremost, I'd like to say that Williams is a funny guy and had our group of people laughing several times; he certainly has a great sense of humor. Quickly analyzing, I think that Williams' personality will likely mesh well with the rest of the Orlando Magic players, who have a number of goofballs on the team - starting with Dwight Howard, of course.
Onto my inquiries for Williams.
What sparked your decision to return to the NBA?
From day one last year, from the first game on TV, I missed it from then. It was just the love of the game.
Do you have any relationships with any of the current Orlando Magic players, right now?
No, not real close relationships. Just from playing ball with them and things like that but nothing personal.
If things didn't work out with the Magic, were there any other teams out there that you had a particular preference for?
I don't even know. This is where I wanted to be, so this is where I'm at.
With Stan Van Gundy here, did that make your decision any easier or did it matter, given that your preference was to be with Orlando?
It's been my preference since '98, but I think Stan is one of the better coaches in the league. People criticize him for screaming and yelling but I think that's a good thing. I think if coaches aren't screaming and yelling ... I tell kids all the time, they can't really scream and yell at us too much, you know what I mean? But if coaches aren't yelling and screaming at kids, then I think there's something wrong. Then the coach isn't caring, so I think it's a good thing. Like I said, I can't wait to play for Stan again.
You've been able to play for a lot of great coaches in your career. Are there any specific things you've taken from their teachings that you've applied to your game?
Obviously I listen to all my coaches and try to take in everything, but what stays that's a different story. I think it's kind of like selective hearing. You choose what you want to keep hearing but the one thing that really sticks out is from [former Memphis Grizzlies head coach] Hubie Brown. This might get me in trouble sometimes or it might not, but that's how it is - he told me never to keep anything inside. You'll get an ulcer and you don't want an ulcer. That's about the only thing that I remember that I will always remember.
How do you feel your skill-set fits with the Magic, in terms of what you bring to the table and what they have?
I love to pass and Dwight Howard loves to score. He's obviously the focal point of the offense so if he's open, the rest will be easy. That's kind of how it was when I went to Miami with Dwyane [Wade] and Shaq [O'Neal]. Those guys just make your job so much easier because there's so much attention to them, that you'll either worry about Jason Williams or you're going to worry about Dwyane Wade.
People know about your play on the court, but what are some of the intangibles, behind-the-scenes, that you think you bring to the table?
I don't know. That's kind of tough. I don't like ... that's kind of like bragging on myself. I don't really like doing that so maybe, in a couple of weeks, you can ask the guys that question.
Have you been able to get in contact with any of the Magic players?
Yeah, a lot of them have called me, text, called last night. Which is good because I wish I could be up in Philly to be with those guys [for the 'Building Magic' week] but we'll get together. They'll be back.
Head coach Stan Van Gundy spoke with the media, also. I'll have a Q/A write-up posted later this afternoon, revealing my questions for Van Gundy. Stay tuned, as always.