Utah guard Deron Williams stood in a familiar place–a United Center hallway–talking about how familiarity with former Illinois and current Jazz teammate Dee Brown has aided him this season.
But another big factor in his improvement from his rookie season came in an unfamiliar place with a less familiar guard.
Williams credits off-season workouts in Spokane, Wash., with future first-ballot Hall of Famer and former Jazz great John Stockton as an element that increased his confidence.
“We did two-a-days, drills, some pick-and-roll situations,” Williams said. “We worked on some shots that he got off the offense that I can work on and get better at.
“It was just some good work with one of the best players ever to play the game.”
Williams’ minutes fluctuated last season as Utah coach Jerry Sloan had his typical love-hate relationship with rookies. Sloan, however, isn’t surprised at Williams’ improvement.
“He’s good; that doesn’t hurt him,” Sloan said. “He’s an intelligent player. He likes to win. He’s not afraid to take big shots and he knows how to play with other people.
“He knows what you’re trying to do on the floor about as well as anybody as a young player.”
Sloan said Brown, averaging only 8.1 minutes, would play in Utah’s summer league and has worked hard in practice.
“I’ve never not played,” Brown said. “That’s the toughest thing. But I’m in a great situation. I can’t complain.”
Saints alive
P.J. Brown, Tyrus Thomas and Chris Duhon all are natives of Louisiana, so it’s little surprise Saints fans outnumber Bears fans in the Bulls’ locker room.
“This is a really big deal for New Orleans,” Brown said.
The Bulls will miss seeing the first half of Sunday’s NFC championship game because the team’s charter flight is scheduled to leave at 2 p.m.
The Bulls play in Indianapolis on Monday night and want to get settled in their hotel before traffic for the AFC championship game gets too thick.
“As long as we get to watch the second half,” Duhon said.
Coach Scott Skiles grew up a Bears fan and became a Colts fan when the franchise moved to Indiana from Baltimore. Needless to say, he’s opting for a different result than his players.
Layups
Viktor Khryapa returned to the inactive list to make room for Malik Allen, who had missed three of four games with a strained left calf. Skiles said he wanted a bigger body to help offset Utah’s physical play. . . . Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano sat in front-row seats directly off the Bulls’ bench.
