At every turn, Jay Williams has tried to distance himself from comparisons to Michael Jordan.
Williams has consistently argued that fans should not create expectations for current Bulls teams based on those from Jordan’s dynasty. Even Williams’ decision to take Jordan’s locker stall was one more of defiance than deification.
But Williams unwittingly sounded a lot like Jordan on Thursday when he blamed his early-season shooting woes, in part, on an inability to adjust to the United Center.
“We don’t practice there,” Williams said. “We don’t play there but on game days.
“We have shootaround [at the Berto Center]. We work out [at the Berto]. Then we go down [to the UC] and it’s a totally different vibe and arena than what we’re used to every day. It’s like, `Here you go, guys. Play.’ It’s hard for me to adjust to right now.”
Let’s rewind the way-back machine, all the way to Jordan’s first comeback. On April 2, 1995, after three games at his new office–one more than Williams has played–Jordan denounced the building outside of which he would have his own statue.
“I played nine years in Chicago Stadium, and I really, truly had made my mind up when I retired that I would never play in this building,” Jordan said then. “Now, playing here, I haven’t really accepted it yet and I haven’t had good situations to draw on.
“I think it’s more background than anything. It’s not the same look and I just have to work my way up to where it’s the same look. As much as I try to make myself believe the dimensions are the same, it’s not the same.
“And that’s not an excuse. I didn’t play particularly well and I’m always going to be man enough to own up to how I play and I stunk up the place.”
Williams said he isn’t offering excuses either, only frustration. Jordan shot 34 percent (20-for-59) in his first three United Center games. Williams takes a 29 percent percentage (4-for-14) into Friday night’s home game against Dallas.
The question is: Which will take a longer adjustment Williams, the United Center or the triangle offense? Echoing comments from the preseason, the rookie point guard acknowledged having difficulty with the offense.
“It’s frustrating for me because I’m starting to understand it but I haven’t been able to get into a rhythm,” Williams said. “Everything is so difficult. I’m trying to find my niche.
“Once you know any system and you make it easy, that’s when you find that rhythm and things come to you. But [lack of rhythm] has been killing my shooting.”
Williams is shooting 37 percent overall. Perhaps more troubling, he’s averaging three turnovers per game.
But coach Bill Cartwright preaches patience.
“Guys are assuming their roles and still learning how to play,” he said. “Our biggest task is going to be coming together as a team. When we do that, we’re going to be good.”
