Williams’ Other Side Gets the Best of Him

Shaun Powell of Newsday observes that Jayson Williams’ once-glamorous life has changed from dream to nightmare since the former NBA player was charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of his limo driver:

“Before Feb. 14, anyone would’ve swapped places with Jayson Williams. Today, any volunteers?

“At least Williams is alive, which is more than can be said for Gus Christofi, [who was] shot at Williams’ estate on a bloody beginning to Valentine’s Day. But in every respect, the life Williams once knew is now dead, pending the outcome of his upcoming trial.

“Until the facts and the witnesses speak, that’s all we know. There are charges of tampering with evidence and witnesses as prosecutors paint a picture of Williams frantically trying to create a cover-up, to protect his behind and his bank account. Perhaps he accidentally shot Christofi, panicked and became frightened at the possibility of prosecution. Perhaps none of that occurred.

“But this much is clear: A former player with a heart bigger than his laugh is accused of allowing his reckless side to ruin him.”

Trivia time: Who holds the record for three-point baskets in an NCAA men’s tournament game?

What regrets? Barbara Barker of Newsday started thinking about who’s missing from this year’s NCAA tournament:

“All those silly NBA players who decided to skip out of college early--or skip it altogether--must really be bummed, now that March Madness has started.

“Can’t you see them yearning for the purity of NCAA competition? Pining for that place where coaches are molders of men, not jugglers of egos? Itching to join a system in which players get no pay--in theory, at least--but make oodles of dough for their alma maters? Looking back sentimentally to all the trappings of the college game, where cheerleaders are perky, not trashy?

“Yeah, right. And then those silly NBA players flip the channel from CBS to CNBC to check their investment portfolios.”

Missing in action: Barker points out that the would-be seniors playing in the NBA include Rashard Lewis, Al Harrington, Mike Miller, Corey Maggette, Stromile Swift, Keyon Dooling, Quentin Richardson, Troy Murphy, Richard Jefferson, Erick Barkley and Joel Przybilla.

Three of a kind: Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil, the three-time French Open tennis champion, has turned to a new form of triathlon to help him recover from hip surgery.

“My friends and family have scheduled a dominoes, snooker and cards triathlon to try to keep me occupied,” said Kuerten, who usually passes the time surfing in his hometown of Florianopolis. “I am a very eclectic guy, but right now I am seeing the other side of life.”

Trivia answer: Jeff Fryer of Loyola Marymount, 11, in the Lions’ 149-115 victory over Michigan in a second-round game in 1990. It remains the highest-scoring game in the history of the NCAA tournament.

And finally: Regina Jacobs has an interesting explanation as to why, at 38 and in the twilight of her track career, she plans to take up the steeplechase.

“I wanted an event that more clearly fit my life, with lots of hurdles,” she said. “I figure if I master that before I leave track and field, the rest of my life will be smooth sailing.”