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In the 2006 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks are up 1-0 over the Miami Heat. Here's what Heat point guard Jason Williams said to the media on Saturday, two days after Game 1, and the day before Game 2:

Q. What, above all things, has Gary Payton taught you?

JASON WILLIAMS: There are so many things. There are little things that he says here and there. Maybe he’s not even talking to me, but I hear him talking to someone else. Just things that he does, just watching him helps me out.

Q. Has Gary been a little quiet recently because he’s disappointed in the way he’s been playing?

JASON WILLIAMS: No. Whenever Gary and I talk, it’s always full-fledged. Whatever’s said is said. I’m sure Gary’s might be a little disappointed in his game, but how many games has he played? He’ll be ok the next game.

Q. Do you think starting your career with the Kings was good or bad for your game?

JASON WILLIAMS: I think it was a little bit of both. It might have been the best and the worst thing that could’ve happened to me to get drafted by the Kings, because they didn’t really have a veteran point guard that I can learn from. They just had to play me. No matter what I did, they had to leave me on the court because they didn’t have any other points.

Q. Do you feel the Kings put too much pressure on you to be a star at such a young age?

JASON WILLIAMS: I don’t think I sensed it at the time, but now that I’m older and I’ve learned how everything works. If I did know back then, I would’ve loved it, but I didn’t.

Q. You had some highly publicized issues when you were with the Grizzlies. Do you regret that at all?

JASON WILLIAMS: I might regret the way I handled it a little bit, but if it happened again, I’m not sure I would’ve handled it a different way. I’m not saying it’s right, but that’s just the way I feel.

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