AP News, May 28th, 2007
Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams did not participate in a shootaround Monday morning because of a lingering stomach flu and was to be a game-time decision to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Monday night.
The Jazz trail the San Antonio Spurs 2-1 after a 109-83 victory Saturday night in which Williams scored 31 points. He is averaging 30.3 for the series.
Williams showed up at the team's practice gym Sunday complaining of stomach problems. He was given medicine and sent home. On Monday, Williams received treatment while his teammates practiced.
"We hope to see No. 8 out there," teammate Derek Fisher said. "If there's any physical energy he can expend to get in it, he'll do it."
Fisher said he would become the starting point guard if Williams can't play. Gordan Giricek would move into Fisher's usual role as the starting shooting guard.
"If Deron is not around, myself as well as a lot of guys will have to fill that void _ not only his points, his energy, his toughness and aggressiveness," Fisher said. "The intangibles he brings, those are what we'll need."
Williams, a second-year playmaker who was named to Team USA a few days ago, was limited by foul trouble in the second round against Golden State. His college teammate, Dee Brown, filled in then. Brown has hardly played this series, but probably would be back in the rotation if Williams is out.
"We have a little experience playing without Deron," forward Andrei Kirilenko said. "What we need to do is be focused and play hard and we'll be all right."
