I can't understand what your point is. Are you denying that he injured himself before the draft, and that the injury precluded him from participating in summer league? Ed O.
I'm evidently arguing with both of you, somehow. I'm saying he was injured (I don't see how anyone could deny that with a straight face) but that the injury was one of the reasons the Blazers were able to get him where they did. Ed O.
Except that Blair got hurt in high school, and was healthy through college. (and at the time of the draft) Williams was hurt before the draft, and the team knew his participation in summer league/training camp was up in the air. Even under the best of circumstances, there wasn't a great chance of him having a meaningful role on the team (which was the thread topic), and the injury just nails down the coffin lid.
It's interesting that you focus on the superficial difference (when, precisely, the injury happened) and not the more crucial element (IMO, anyway)...severity. Blair's health issue concerns were about as danger-red as any draft prospect can be. I don't think anyone dissented on those issues. I've read nothing to suggest Williams' injury is a major long-term concern.
But that isn't the point of the thread. The subject is William's role. The injury may not be a long-term concern - but missing summer league and potentially not being at full strength for camp is going to make it harder for him to have a meaningful role with the team. Blair's problems may be a long term concern, but they in no way affected his ability to come in and earn playing time as a rookie. Apples and oranges.
I guess it all depends on if you are expecting him to have a role with the team other then benchwarmer. Knowing how Nate tends to sit young players, I really don't expect a whole lot when it comes to a role. In fact I would go so far as to say, if Williams gets a ton of playing time, things probably have gone really bad on the injury front. Because the chances of him being better than the guys ahead of him at this point, is very low at best.
What?! Are you saying he deliberately injured himself so he would avoid summer league and thus not allow us to see him play, thereby denying our opportunity to understand where he fits into this season?
No, clearly he deliberately injured himself to prevent other (read: "crappier") teams from drafting him early, ensuring his fall to a title-contender. Smart move.
Since when did Summer League become so important? SL happened so long ago it doesn't mean that a player with a bone bruise (or whatever they classified his injury as) means that he won't be ready for training camp. He's already bested his 48" vert mark for the blazers according to OLive. As far as his role, you never know in the NBA who is going to go down to injury. I hope he isn't forced into duty because that would mean injuries to Roy or Matthews. If Bayless gets injured I just see them giving more minutes to Matthews at SG. I am excited to see if Williams can play PG as well as SG. This in the time of year for insane fandom and unrestrained homerism. Go Blazers!
Link? First time I've read that. As far as I know, he went where he was forecast to go before he got bruised in a pre-draft camp. He may be a great leaper, but is limited in other areas, so he went where he should have, despite the tiny injury. As for being held out in Summer League, that was stupid. Williams kept saying he was 100%, couldn't understand why he was held out, and practiced daily against the other players. Management paranoia like that has caused Oden's injuries, because Oden has to catch up after they make him fall behind each preaseason.
well, he DID have a front-row seat to the entire NBA and plenty of games he wasn't doing anything, and able to observe...
Miller showed last year that he is a ball hog and a terrible shooter and a bad defender and passes to guys with the shot clock at 4 or less.
