Aaron Williams – C/F
Known For: Toughness, playing bigger than he is, fierce determination, ability to hit clutch shots, quiet demeanor.

The Skinny: Undersized, but gets the job done. Hard hat and lunch pail kind of fellow. Man of few words. That's always been ATrain's M.O. since becoming a Net in Rod Thorn's first free-agent signing. And one of his best, as anyone will tell you. He's also willing to do the little things that coaches love to rave about, like set picks or hit the floor. All without complaint.Williams could be even more important to the Nets this season, as his ability to rebound and finish inside are skills New Jersey desperately needs someone to show. That is, if Williams doesn't break down - after all, he's not a young man anymore (he just turned 33). Spotting his minutes, especially if Alonzo Mourning is able to give anything at all, will go a long way toward a healthy and productive ATrain.

The Concern: Can ATrain deliver the goods without breaking down? The last thing the Nets need, short as they are up front of power players, is Train sitting in the depot, unable to gather steam. Most of his averages have come down that past four seasons, though that's not necesssarily to say it's because of overwork. If Collins, Mourning, Nenad Krstic and even Kyle Davis (or Jabari Smith) are healthy and producing, they'll need minutes, which should help reduce the burden on Williams. Then again, he is a trusted performer, so don't be surprised is Frank has him in the lineup for his usual 20 minutes per night, every night, either.

Joe's World View: ATrain is as beloved in my book as a Lucious Harris or Kerry Kittles was - he'll give you his all, night after night, and find a way to make a play most of the time while delivering off the bench. He'll be important for the second stringers (assuming he doesn't get the start at PF or C) as their leader, with Rogers, Harris etc. all hitting the road. Unless he begins to break down, Train will be there, getting his minutes and finding a way to put back that rebound or draw that foul when the Nets need him most. And lord, are they going to need him (or someone like him) to step it up inside.

Joe's Prediction: 6.5 PPG, 4.5 Rebounds, 1.5 Assist, 1 steal and 20 minutes per game averages.

Aaron Williams stats and bio: click here.

The 2004 - 2005 Roster

Travis Best - G
Rodney Buford - G/F
Jason Collins - C
Kyle Davis - C
Richard Jefferson - F
Jason Kidd - G
Nenad Krstic - F/C
Ron Mercer - G/F
Alonzo Mourning - C
Zoran Planinic - G/F
Brian Scalabrine - F
Jacque Vaughn - G
Aaron Williams - F/C
Eric Williams - F

Archive | Backlash | Bio | Calendar | Champagne's Blog | Diatribe | Game x Game | History | Home | Joe Netsfan's Blog | Media | Opponents | Players | Playoffs | Search | Specials

© 2004 Shawn Belschwender and Michael Kozlowski