Scott Williams Chat Transcript
Scott Williams begins his first season as color analyst for the 40 Cavaliers' games to be telecast on FSN Ohio. Williams brings his extensive NBA experience and joins veteran play-by-play announcer, Michael Reghi, to provide insight and critical analysis during Cavaliers' games. Williams spent the 2004-05 season with the Cavaliers where he played in 19 games.
Scott Williams: Welcome everyone! After a 15-year career, I feel I was blessed and I would not trade my career for anyone's. Now I feel even further blessed to be able to call games for the Cavs. I have to thank my play-by-play partner Michael Reghi, Austin Carr, and none of this would be possible without the support of Dan GIlbert, David Katzman, and Steve Cicurel, and my bosses at FSN when they hired me, Tom Farmer and Steve Liverani. I'm ready to take your questions.
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Ryan C. (Findlay, OH): Hi Scott. Keep up the good work on FSN, you do a great job. My question pertains to team chemistry. Being around the NBA for as many years as you have, I would imagine that you have been in several situations with groups of new team members. I think we all can agree that the Cavs are not totally "gellin" like a true team should. How long should we expect for a team with this many new faces on it to start playing like a quality NBA team with good on-court chemistry? Thanks!
Scott Williams: Thanks Ryan for the kind comments. Team chemistry is very important for the success of a season. The Cavs are further along than most teams would be after adding new ownership, new coaching staff, and 7 new players. This process takes upwards of a season or two for it to fully develop.
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Jon Schulz (Kirtland, OH): I was lucky enough to live outside Chicago when the Bulls became of age and started winning championships. I also know that a Bulls' practice session was often a brutal task. Michael Jordan was such a fierce competitor and leader in practice even more so than in games. Do you see any similarities or differences between LeBron and the Cavaliers' practice sessions? Are they even close to that level of greatness and is LeBron close to being capable of being that leader?
Scott Williams: You are very right, practices in Chicago were sometimes tougher than games. Quite often the Bulls' teams dominated the easier competition. LeBron approaches practice the same way Michael did. He gives his all on every drill, he wants to win every competition, and that leads to very productive and spirited situations. The leadership he demonstrates in practices translates directly to game nights on the floor. He separates himself with his intensity level in the way he prepares himself for the nightly contests.
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Brittany Crow (Swanton, OH): What has been your most memorable moment so far?
Scott Williams: Brittany, thanks for the question. As a player, the 1992 Championship, Game 6 against the Blazers. I got to play the entire fourth quarter and we won the ball game in Chicago Stadium, which I believe was one of the loudest areas in NBA history.
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Ted (Ashland, OH): Scott, I've seen you on FSN Ohio for a few games this season and I think you are a pretty polished broadcaster for a "rookie"! Which T.V. sports broadcasters do you look up to the most and why?
Scott Williams: I love John Madden and I am a big fan of Monday Night Football. He may not always be grammatically correct, but he is very colorful and adds a lot to your game-watching experience. I also admire Doug Collins. He is always prepared, insightful, and does a great job of painting the picture of the action on the court.
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Rick (Norwalk, OH) : Free throws are important to the game and can win or lose a game. How often do teams practice free throws? Also, do you think someone can break Mark Price's all time free throw percentage?
Scott Williams: Teams will practice free throws daily and will spend a good deal of time practicing them after a hard stretch of games since it is not as much of a physical drill in nature. It is always done daily. As far as records go...all records are made to be broken, but Mark Price's record is very impressive.
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Derrick E. Vaughan: Dear Scott, being a former North Carolina Tar Heel how do you feel about the 5 winningest college basketball programs of all-time - Kentucky, UNC, UCLA, Kansas, and Duke - celebrating 500 years of college play during the 2006-07 season. They are known as "The Phat 5 of College Basketball." It 's a once in a lifetime history.
Scott Williams: I wasn't aware of the celebration, but I am aware of the overall success of those 5 programs. I am very proud of the 2005 National Champion Tar Heels. I also will enjoy following all of the teams at UNC for years to come. I hope the viewers don't get tired of my constant UNC references during the broadcasts! I, like Michael Jordan, am very proud of our school at Chapel Hill.
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John A. Mcdonald (Toronto, ONT): Hey Scott, do you like the city of Cleveland?
Scott Williams: I think Cleveland is a fantastic town as far as dining, nightlife, sports, and the people are friendly and warm. I just can't get used to the cold weather!
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Quentin (Cleveland, OH): Do you think the Cavs will have a better finish or a better start this season? Where do you see the Cavs stacked up in the division and Eastern Conference by season's end?
Scott Williams: I think the Cavs will finish stronger than they started. The new coaching staff will have had more time to implement their strategies and the players will have had time to learn those strategies. Our division is tough, a lot of the teams in the Central will beat each other up throughout the season. It will be tough to win the division because of how Detroit has played, but I think if the Cavs finish with a 4-6 seed, they will have a good chance of advancing out of the first round of the playoffs.
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AustinCav (Nags Head, North Carolina): Can Ira Newble's return to the Cavs make that much of a difference and if so how?
Scott Williams: Ira Newble's return can make a difference that will be seen more on the defensive end of the floor. Ira is a fantastic ball-pressuring, ball-hawking defender whose approach is unselfish and infectuous and helps the overall goodwill of the team. That is why coaches love having him on the floor.
I thank everyone for their fine questions. I look forward to the Cavs in the playoffs. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I'm on my way to see King Kong at the theater now. Peter Jackson is my favorite director!
Cavs.com
Scott Williams begins his first season as color analyst for the 40 Cavaliers' games to be telecast on FSN Ohio. Williams brings his extensive NBA experience and joins veteran play-by-play announcer, Michael Reghi, to provide insight and critical analysis during Cavaliers' games. Williams spent the 2004-05 season with the Cavaliers where he played in 19 games.
Scott Williams: Welcome everyone! After a 15-year career, I feel I was blessed and I would not trade my career for anyone's. Now I feel even further blessed to be able to call games for the Cavs. I have to thank my play-by-play partner Michael Reghi, Austin Carr, and none of this would be possible without the support of Dan GIlbert, David Katzman, and Steve Cicurel, and my bosses at FSN when they hired me, Tom Farmer and Steve Liverani. I'm ready to take your questions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan C. (Findlay, OH): Hi Scott. Keep up the good work on FSN, you do a great job. My question pertains to team chemistry. Being around the NBA for as many years as you have, I would imagine that you have been in several situations with groups of new team members. I think we all can agree that the Cavs are not totally "gellin" like a true team should. How long should we expect for a team with this many new faces on it to start playing like a quality NBA team with good on-court chemistry? Thanks!
Scott Williams: Thanks Ryan for the kind comments. Team chemistry is very important for the success of a season. The Cavs are further along than most teams would be after adding new ownership, new coaching staff, and 7 new players. This process takes upwards of a season or two for it to fully develop.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon Schulz (Kirtland, OH): I was lucky enough to live outside Chicago when the Bulls became of age and started winning championships. I also know that a Bulls' practice session was often a brutal task. Michael Jordan was such a fierce competitor and leader in practice even more so than in games. Do you see any similarities or differences between LeBron and the Cavaliers' practice sessions? Are they even close to that level of greatness and is LeBron close to being capable of being that leader?
Scott Williams: You are very right, practices in Chicago were sometimes tougher than games. Quite often the Bulls' teams dominated the easier competition. LeBron approaches practice the same way Michael did. He gives his all on every drill, he wants to win every competition, and that leads to very productive and spirited situations. The leadership he demonstrates in practices translates directly to game nights on the floor. He separates himself with his intensity level in the way he prepares himself for the nightly contests.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Brittany Crow (Swanton, OH): What has been your most memorable moment so far?
Scott Williams: Brittany, thanks for the question. As a player, the 1992 Championship, Game 6 against the Blazers. I got to play the entire fourth quarter and we won the ball game in Chicago Stadium, which I believe was one of the loudest areas in NBA history.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ted (Ashland, OH): Scott, I've seen you on FSN Ohio for a few games this season and I think you are a pretty polished broadcaster for a "rookie"! Which T.V. sports broadcasters do you look up to the most and why?
Scott Williams: I love John Madden and I am a big fan of Monday Night Football. He may not always be grammatically correct, but he is very colorful and adds a lot to your game-watching experience. I also admire Doug Collins. He is always prepared, insightful, and does a great job of painting the picture of the action on the court.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Rick (Norwalk, OH) : Free throws are important to the game and can win or lose a game. How often do teams practice free throws? Also, do you think someone can break Mark Price's all time free throw percentage?
Scott Williams: Teams will practice free throws daily and will spend a good deal of time practicing them after a hard stretch of games since it is not as much of a physical drill in nature. It is always done daily. As far as records go...all records are made to be broken, but Mark Price's record is very impressive.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Derrick E. Vaughan: Dear Scott, being a former North Carolina Tar Heel how do you feel about the 5 winningest college basketball programs of all-time - Kentucky, UNC, UCLA, Kansas, and Duke - celebrating 500 years of college play during the 2006-07 season. They are known as "The Phat 5 of College Basketball." It 's a once in a lifetime history.
Scott Williams: I wasn't aware of the celebration, but I am aware of the overall success of those 5 programs. I am very proud of the 2005 National Champion Tar Heels. I also will enjoy following all of the teams at UNC for years to come. I hope the viewers don't get tired of my constant UNC references during the broadcasts! I, like Michael Jordan, am very proud of our school at Chapel Hill.
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John A. Mcdonald (Toronto, ONT): Hey Scott, do you like the city of Cleveland?
Scott Williams: I think Cleveland is a fantastic town as far as dining, nightlife, sports, and the people are friendly and warm. I just can't get used to the cold weather!
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Quentin (Cleveland, OH): Do you think the Cavs will have a better finish or a better start this season? Where do you see the Cavs stacked up in the division and Eastern Conference by season's end?
Scott Williams: I think the Cavs will finish stronger than they started. The new coaching staff will have had more time to implement their strategies and the players will have had time to learn those strategies. Our division is tough, a lot of the teams in the Central will beat each other up throughout the season. It will be tough to win the division because of how Detroit has played, but I think if the Cavs finish with a 4-6 seed, they will have a good chance of advancing out of the first round of the playoffs.
----------------------------------------------------------------
AustinCav (Nags Head, North Carolina): Can Ira Newble's return to the Cavs make that much of a difference and if so how?
Scott Williams: Ira Newble's return can make a difference that will be seen more on the defensive end of the floor. Ira is a fantastic ball-pressuring, ball-hawking defender whose approach is unselfish and infectuous and helps the overall goodwill of the team. That is why coaches love having him on the floor.
I thank everyone for their fine questions. I look forward to the Cavs in the playoffs. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I'm on my way to see King Kong at the theater now. Peter Jackson is my favorite director!
Cavs.com