January 11, 2005 - Some players are just built for certain cities, and one player that really understands that is Jerome "Junkyard Dog" Williams.

Smiling from ear-to-ear at his press conference in New York he made it very clear that he was ready to take a bite out of the big apple. "The Dog is built for New York. Boos, cheers, the whole thing. When the Dawg Pound comes playing, it'll be something to see."

Williams is one of the game's most emotional and animated players and has been a fan favorite from the day he entered into the NBA in 1996. IGN Sports caught up with the "Junkyard Dog" to talk about being the ultimate role player, tricked out cars and his acting career.

IGN Sports: How does a player coming off the bench stay prepared night in and night out?

Jerome Williams: You have to accept your role. That is the main thing that guys really have a problem with in this league, sometimes because if they've been a starter then they want to be a starter. But it's not how you start it is how you finish. I'd rather have the problem of who should start than who is going to get the minutes because at the end of the day the more talent you have the better your chances are of winning a championship. That is the way I look at it. I always stay focused on the task at hand, the opponent, trying to help the team win, and if that role is coming off the bench and giving energy, then that is what I am going to do to the best of my ability.

IGN Sports: The Indiana Pacers earlier in the season had a situation where they had to play with guys that spent the majority of the season sitting on the bench but when they were put in the game situation they flourished. What is that like for a guy that normally does not get the minutes, better yet, start?

JW: I think they did a really good job being prepared when guys went down. That really shows what kind of talent that they have on that team. That is what it is all about, not accepting the fact that just because you are not good enough to start does not mean that you are not a good player. That is one of the things people take for granted. I think that teams really went to sleep on those guys when they went to play them too, thinking that just because their big three were out that they were going to walk over all that team, but those players stepped up and showed what they were made of. It is not going to be a cake walk against Indiana by no means.

JYD in ESPN NBA 2K5.

IGN Sports: How have you kept your game at a level of competing to where you do not miss a beat when you are out there playing, coming off the bench, and having the success that you have over the years?

JW: First of all, you have to stay focused and take things in from the bench and just don't sit over there. Look at what is going on out there on the floor and see where you can help the team out as far as spacing, getting guys open for better looks, setting screens, see how the team is playing defensively and try to come in and make an impact. Not only that, bring some energy, get a couple of tipped balls and getting some offensive rebounds can help the team overcome a lot.



IGN Sports: Over the last couple of years there has been a large influx of high school kids coming in that are athletic but they are not ready. What do you say to those kids sitting on the bench learning to play a role coming off the bench?

JW: You have to tell them to stay with it and stay focused. A lot of them lose focus because they want to play every night. They don't understand that it is an 82 game season, so you have to keep repeating it to them again and again. You have to tell not to get down because they didn't play tonight because it is all about match-ups. Then, you are on a very talented team and everybody in this league is talented. So, you have to wait to get that experience and the years will come and your time will come. You have to stay ready and and learn from the time that you are getting or not getting.

IGN Sports: Your coach Lenny Wilkins speaks very highly of you and knows what you bring to the game each night. You have played for him in the past, where did that trust come from or that understanding come from for you two?

JW: I just think it is work ethic. He has seen me work everyday, not just on the floor come game time, but during the week during practice, before practice and after practice. Putting in work and hours says a lot in terms of what my drive is to win. It is all about the team to me, I don't look for individual stuff or accomplishment. He knows that when I go out there I am going to be the one that is going to sacrifice without a care.