Real Story on Williams Is Elusive

The Dallas Mavericks have apparently decided against trying to acquire free agent center Brian Williams because of concerns over his right knee, NBA sources said.

The New York Post reported Friday that Williams underwent surgery in September and had a screw implanted in his knee, then had it removed three weeks ago.

There were conflicting reports that Williams, who has run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, and bicycled across the Utah desert, was injured while skydiving or that he had bone spurs removed from the knee.

“It sounds like sour grapes from somebody. It’s a total fabrication,” Williams’ agent, Dwight Manley, said of the alleged knee surgery. “Brian had a bone spur removed after there was a misdiagnosis of tendinitis. There were no tendons, muscle, cartilage or anything like that operated on. Brian is in the best shape of his life.”

Williams, who averaged lifetime bests of 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Clippers last season, sat out the final month of last season because of tendinitis in his right knee.

*

Center Dwayne Schintzius sat out Sunday’s game because of a stomach ailment.

Schintzius, who sat out the first 29 games because of an ankle injury, was hospitalized briefly.

“I think I have an ulcer,” Schintzius said. “I had a couple IVs put in me, but I think I’m going to be OK.”