Pro Basketball

The battle of wills continues between Washington Bullet forward John Williams and team management over his weight and conditioning program.

General Manager John Nash said after a scouting trip to the pro summer league in Los Angeles that he was encouraged by the progress made by the former Crenshaw High star, but added: “I’m discouraged by his weight (an estimated 276 pounds) and the fact that he is playing without a knee brace.”

Williams sat out almost two full seasons after suffering an injured right knee Dec. 4, 1989. The Bullets’ medical staff wants him to continue wearing the brace until he scales down to 260 pounds.

It was a stalemate over his weight and failure to maintain his prescribed therapy last summer that resulted in the Bullets’ suspending Williams, 24, and withholding his pay until the fines reached more than $785,000.

Williams blamed his lack of conditioning and motivation on the drowning of a close friend and the failing health of his father. He finally returned to Washington last November on the eve of the 1990-91 NBA opener.

Williams could not be reached for comment.