Growing pains

I'll admit it -- I've ignored Sean Williams far too long.

I don't feel too bad, though. Nets coach Lawrence Frank had been ignoring his big man, too.

Heading into last week, the lanky center had been getting 11.8 minutes per game and never saw more than 21. With the Nets struggling, though, Frank took a chance on the high-energy kid from Boston College.

And it's paid off.

In four games last week, Williams saw his playing time jump to 25.5 minutes per game and got his first career start. In that game, an 81-77 loss to the Heat, Williams played 36 minutes, scoring a career-high 22 points, grabbing eight rebounds, blocking two shots, and basically supplying a shot of adrenaline to a lackadaisical Nets team.

"I wanted to show the coach I was worthy of starting," Williams said. "I just tried to have fun out there."

After this week's play, Williams should have his coach's attention. He's certainly got mine.

You can send comments, complaints, or hype for your favorite rookie to Drew Packham at drew.packham@turner.com.