Sean Williams, the Nets' first-round draft pick, was benched for last night's 91-90 overtime win over the 76ers in the preseason opener after showing up 15 minutes late to the team's afternoon shootaround in East Rutherford. Lawrence Frank would not reveal what Williams' excuse was - he apparently got stuck in traffic - but said it didn't matter.

"If you're into excuses it was a very viable excuse," said Frank. "It's just he was late and that's it."