Eric Williams

["hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi list:

Here is some interesting info on EW's health this year, 
excerpted from Mike Fine's article today.


http://ledger.southofboston.com/display/inn_sports/sports0
3.txt

Eric could not change directions very early last year 
because of problems with his knee,'' said Celts coach Jim 
O'Brien, a major Williams booster. And if you can't 
change directions, it's hard to guard and hard to be an 
offensive player that can catch in the low post like Eric 
likes to be, to be able to step through people. He played 
in considerable pain the entire regular season last year. 
And he broke his finger and his pinky was on a 90 degree 
angle.'' 

Williams underwent surgery in June - Red Sox physician 
Bill Morgan fixed the finger - and was back on the court 
by August. 

He's pain-free, and he's shown speed,'' the coach 
said. We're trying to get easier baskets on the fast 
break and Walter (McCarty) and Eric are the guys that 
consistently run no matter how long they've been in 
there. So his speed is outstanding. His strength is 
outstanding. I don't know what his body fat is, but it 
can't be above four. He's just ready to play basketball. 
I think he'll have his best year. 

To get himself back in shape, Williams put his Newark 
businesses on hold, turning over the reigns to his 
brother. I wasn't worried about the real estate stuff 
because I was worried about getting myself back together. 
And I did a lot of stuff up here - working out, mentally 
getting myself prepared and coming back here to have a 
good training camp.'' 

He was rejuvenated. A year ago he came into training camp 
after having stayed off the court all summer. He never 
picked up a ball. 

I was aching. Mentally I was out of it, coming from my 
past three years not knowing my situation with the 
ballclub. I was frustrated to the point where basketball 
wasn't fun any more. I always want to play hard because 
that's my nature, but as far as me just picking up the 
basketball and playing, it wasn't fun. So I started 
diverting to other things.'' 

He's in another world now. No aching back, no hamstring 
problems, no knee problems. I'm just feeling good right 
now and happy to be in the spot I am right now.'' 

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