Groggy from surgery, sleep and pain medication, Jay Williams saw Bulls general manager John Paxson and coach Bill Cartwright enter his hospital room Friday and said one thing:

"I'm sorry."

Paxson played down Williams' attempt at an apology, saying his recovery from a serious motorcycle accident Thursday is all that's important for Williams, his family and the Bulls franchise right now.

But Williams' words are a mature admission from the second-year guard that, at the very least, he let down a franchise that invested last summer's second overall pick in him.

Williams' words also may indicate he's aware he was riding a motorcycle he wasn't licensed to drive, according to Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles officials, and doing so in violation of a standard NBA player contract.

"He made a mistake," Paxson said. "We all make them. Most of us don't have to live with these consequences.