The Pitch – Homicide
Corey “Homicide” Williams. Photo courtesy k1XThe following article can be found in Dime 35, on newsstands now…
Now that summer is pretty much a wrap, we can officially start the countdown to the start of NBA training camps. Every single year, there are all sorts of guys in those NBA camps battling to realize their dream of making an NBA roster. Recently, one of the guys who’s been agonizingly close to making a roster has been New York City playground legend (and former Bounce cover guy), Corey “Homicide” Williams.
While Homicide’s rep as a basketball talent is golden on the streets of New York, across Europe and in the CBA, the NBA seems to be getting further and further away. Now Homicide is 30 years old and looking to make a final run at sticking in the L. Here, Homicide tells NBA GMs why they should sign him…
I believe you should sign me because I am a hard worker. I pride myself on my hard work; I just got out of the gym. I am the first to come to the gym and the last to leave. I practice five to six times a week. I usually work out early morning with a partner, getting at least 500 jumpers up. I work on my mid-range jumper, one- and two-dribble pull-ups and stationary shooting. I have a passion for the game. I love to play basketball. I take a professional approach to this game.
I believe there’s nothing more that I can show or prove on the level that I’m on. I’ve done it all on the amateur level. I’ve dominated everywhere I have played. I’ve played in Brazil, Sweden, Germany, France, Israel. I’ve also played in summer leagues in Italy and Spain. I played in the CBA and dominated. My first year I led the league in assists with 9.8 a game to go with 14 points and about six rebounds. My second year we won the championship, and I put up numbers; I had a game where I put up 33 points, 21 assists, eight rebounds and five steals against Randy Livingston’s team. There’s a difference who you drop buckets against; I’ve done it in marquee matchups.
I’ve dominated the playground scene in NYC. I’ve gone against a lot of tough guards and have always come out on top. And if I haven’t gotten them yet, believe me, I will. I have a list. I played against Ron Artest at the EBC and had 26 points. This was the year he won NBA Defensive Player of the Year. There were other defenders stepping over to help out – it was the toughest 26 I ever had, but it’s still 26. That game helped me a lot mentally and let me know that I can play at the highest level. Put it like this: I played against Allan Ray and I worked him out. He was killing my team until I got there, and by halftime I had him with five fouls and he got dressed and left the game, claiming the refs weren’t calling the game fair.
I’ve been in camps with the Denver Nuggets and the Toronto Raptors. Those teams liked me for the defensive intensity that I bring; I pick up full-court and I play in-your-face D. I was the last cut with the Raptors after I beat out two guards that already had NBA experience. I only got cut because veteran guard Alvin Williams was healthy enough to play that season.
I have good court leadership. I can get to the basket almost at will. If I’m on an NBA roster obviously I’ll be a role player, but I believe that I can push everyone in practice. I won’t be content with just being on the bench. I want to play.
Photo courtesy k1XOne of the things that some GMs might shy away from is my age. I assure you that will not be a problem. I work hard in the gym and I take care of my body. I am very durable and not injury-prone. There have been a lot of guys that have come into the League late in their careers and have been successful: Mario Elie, Darrell Armstrong, the list goes on. Those are the guys that inspire me and let me know that I can make it in this league.
The one part of my game that I feel I need to improve on is the pro three-pointer. Once I begin to hit that consistently, I’ll be an even tougher matchup. I dominate games just taking it to the basket. I always get to the basket at will, so sometimes I tell myself, “Why pull up for the jumper when they can’t stop you from getting to the basket?” I need to start pulling up for that three-pointer. When I get that, it’s over.
That’s why I deserve a shot.
As told to Kyle Henry
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September 6th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Captain America says:
It would be useful for him to state his position. Given his commitment to the game, you would think someone would bring him to camp at least.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
whatsdadealyo says:
I dont understand what exactly is the nba looking for? Why cant guys like this get into the nba? Somebody please inform.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Jay says:
Corey Williams did get into the NBA, it’s just his stay wasn’t very long. Guys like this usually don’t have long careers in the league because their games just don’t translate. Guys who can score are a dime a dozen in this world, especially considering the D they are playing against on the streets are CONSIDERABLY weaker than that in the NBA.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Fab says:
Good luck Corey my man! I am sure a lot of teams in the NBA could use him, they just have to let him the chance to play his game. As a 7th or 8th man from the bench, he could get you buckets. The Lakers could use him for example…
September 6th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Jas says:
COREY WILLIAMS IS A SKILLED PLAYER. THAT I DON’T DOUBT. BUT WHY WOULD AN NBA TEAM TAKE A CHANCE ON A 30 YEAR-OLD WHO ISN’T OVERLY ATHLETIC AND DOESN’T STAND TO IMPROVE MUCH AT THIS STAGE IN HIS CAREER. THERE’S PLENTY OF YOUNGER PLAYERS OUT THERE WHO ARE WAY MORE ATHLETIC AND HAVE WAY MORE POTENTIAL THAN HE DOES. IF I WERE RUNNING AN NBA TEAM I’D MUCH RATHER GIVE A YOUNGER PLAYER A ROSTER SPOT.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Bron42 says:
havn’t you learned yet how dangerous the word “potential” is? how many young athletic guys have tons of potential and do Gerald green anyone? dorrell Wright? Ndu Ebi? Traivs outlaw? should I keep going? and its not like hes gonna command millions of dollars either. Plus with guys like kevin willis, jerome james, pat burke gettin paid billions, your tellin me theres teams that can’t use a guy who WANTS to be there and has done everything in his power TO be there? The heat just payed how much for penny hardaway? and i’m a penny fan but your tellin me theres not other guys out there that could help too?
September 6th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Jas says:
FIRST OF ALL, TRAVIS OUTLAW, GERALD GREEN AND DORRELL WRIGHT ARE MORE THAN SOLID NBA PLAYERS AND THEY’LL ONLY GET BETTER.
HOMICIDE IS JUST NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR AN NBA TEAM. HE HIMSELF VIEWS HIMSELF AS A ROLE PLAYER IN THE NBA. THERE’S PLENTY OF YOUNGER GUYS WHO COULD FILL A SECONDARY ROLE ON AN NBA SQUAD. UNLIKE HIM THOUGH, THEY HAVE TIME AND ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, THUS MAKING THEM A BETTER INVESTMENT. PENNY HARDAWAY HAS SOMETHING HOMICIDE DOESN’T: EXPERIENCE AT THE NBA LEVEL.
BUT I AGREE WITH YOU ON ONE POINT; A LOT OF PLAYERS JUST GET RECYCLED, WHILE MORE TALENTED AND SKILLED PLAYERS ARE DENIED ACCESS TO THE LEAGUE. THERE’S NOONE WHO’S GONE DIRECTLY FROM THE STREETS TO THE LEAGUE, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING THE TALENT OUT THERE.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
bb says:
Being good in streetball and in the NBA are two different things. Look at Skip! He is great on the play ground but in the NBA he is avg. at best. Homicide should go to Europe and get the fattest contract he can get because his playing days at the top are soon over.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Bron42 says:
travis, green and wright are not solid players. hence most of them barely get minutes. their athletic guys with terrible basketball IQs so they cant put it all together.outlaw could almost touch the top of the backboard as a high school senior…but what has he done since? sat bench and played in garbage games that dont count. homicide has played against nba comeptiton, while it was streetball, he has proven he can play, even over seas. I mean come on…you got charles oakly saying he isn’t coming back unless he gets a 2 year 410 million dollar deal and your sayin thats a better investment? Penny has 2 bad knees and a bad back so other than a locker room coach he probably wont be doing much. I never said homicide would be a star but he could at least fill a stop taken by say…brian cardinal? and skip is only average cuz he couldnt shoot. heck, even the cletics could use a spark plug off the bench.
September 7th, 2007 at 12:11 am
DOC says:
homicide aint nba material thats why he aint there.Leaving a resume on dime aint gonna get him signed either. He’s a star in New York playgrounds period.
September 7th, 2007 at 10:35 am
KG says:
god I hope Danny’s seein’ this. Even this cat sounds better than having Rajon feed me the ball.
September 7th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Ross says:
that is why you aren’t in the L – you got no J. There are thousands of guys that can get to the hoop. But you need to hit the J. As Derek Fisher told his old college partner Malik Dixon if you can consistently hit the J and still do the things you do you will make it in the L. He didn’t because he couldn’t hit the J, Derek Fisher does! At 30 you should already have your three point shot down, not starting to work on it. Khalid El Amin could get to the hoop also but he couldn’t hit the side of a barn from 17 feet out. Hit the J and you will get a shot!
September 7th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Sho-Nuff says:
Funny, if by 30 you haven’t developed NBA range on your jumpshot, when? This always amazes me. Just like when “Main Event” was stating his case for “The League”. Too many holes in their games. 11th and 12th man on the benches are not what you know, it’s who you know….Remember Jack Haley…..
September 7th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
J LOV says:
Most of the player you named that’s stealing money in the League are tall. I would rather take a chance on a post or a 6’7 wing than I would on a point guard. Regardless of what I think or anyone else, please keep dreaming and keep praying.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Dre says:
I definitely think he could end up on someones roster spot in the NBA. Homicide has one thing that should fill him a spot and it’s even more valuable then an ify player with a good jumper. He has very very good defense, this should get him a spot. If he has a consistent jumper just inside of the NBA 3-point line, a good basketball IQ and tenacious defense. He should get a spot, look at Avery Johnson, Darrell Armstrong, and even Tony Parker to a certain degree and his defense is suspect.
October 4th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Twinn aka Who want it says:
Hey Corey is my homeboy from back in the days
I played junior college ball with him in K.C.
The Man has Paid his Duez!!!!
Yo I am with you all the way.
No ne can hold you down
Be on the look out because I am next!!!
Age is a number that defines your level of maturity!