Buck Williams

New Jersey Nets
6-8 215 Forward

Failed to become first forward in NBA history to grab 1,000 rebounds in each of his first five seasons, finishing with 986 last season... Had great start on offense and off boards in first half, then tailed off when teams began double-teaming him after Daryl Dawkins went down. "He never had to contend with that before," said coach Dave Wohl... "Heck," said Williams, "my first couple of years in the league, nobody paid any attention to me on offense at all. Now I've got two or three guys on me."... Began picking his spots to play hard for the first time in his career... Has base salary of $1 million this season, the last on his contract... Despite occasional lapse, he remains league's best power forward, although few casual fans know it... "If he had my mouth," said Dawkins, "he'd be the best known, most-respected player in the league."... Born March 8, 1960, in Rocky Mount, N.C.... Nets made him third overall pick in 1981, out of Maryland.

Relevant Stats:
15.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 52.3 FG%