BOSTON -- Frank Williams already knew the criticism would come from New Yorkers, Knicks fans and the media.

	Frank Williams might be sidelined until January.

And that was before he broke his wrist.

Imagine what he'll be hearing now if he doesn't take the city by storm and become a contributing point guard after the first-round pick was part of a draft-night trade with Denver.

Speaking hours before he found out his left wrist was indeed broken -- during a game Tuesday at the Shaw's Pro Summer League -- Williams said that, after the Knicks traded for him, team management advised he not read the local papers. The Knicks also told him that any misstep he takes would be reported.

A few hours later, Williams was informed his broken wrist may keep him out the first two months of the season. The injury puts even more pressure on him to produce in his rookie season as he tries to get minutes behind point guards Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley.

How will Williams handle this setback, especially in light of him being criticized last season at Illinois for have a lax attitude?

"He had to go through a lot of adversity last season. Even though it was on a much smaller scale, I think it was as much as any college player had to deal with last season," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "He is better prepared to be under the microscope. Frank isn't a guy who reads his press clippings positively or negatively. The guy is thick-skinned but tender-hearted."

The problem is, Williams looks like he's indifferent when he plays. Williams rarely shows emotion on the court, and that will likely have to change when his wrist heals and he's back on the court.

"Frank has a good attitude, but the problem is, unless you get to know him, he appears indifferent," Self said. "He cares more than his outward appearance shows. But he has to work to improve his appearance. Coaches around him won't question how bad he wants it."

Self said it's unfair to Williams that, as a sophomore when the Illini were a No. 1 seed, he was said to have "ice water in his veins." But when the Illini struggled when he was a junior last season he was termed "indifferent."

	“	If the Knicks can get him to play with more emotion, then that will be a huge asset for them. He's got a huge challenge in practice every day at that level. ”
		— Bill Self

"If the Knicks can get him to play with more emotion, then that will be a huge asset for them," Self said. "He's got a huge challenge in practice every day at that level."

Prior to the injury, Williams saw himself as this year's draft version of Jamaal Tinsley. Tinsley went No. 27 to Vancouver (and eventually was traded to Indiana) in the 2001 draft, even though he was expected to go in the later lottery or mid-teen selections. But Tinsley ended up as one of the better rookie point guards last season.

Williams could have gone as high as No. 14 but slipped to No. 25.

"Tinsley played with a chip on his shoulder (last season) and that's how I'm playing out here now," Williams said before Tuesday's game. "I've got to prove to the guys that passed up on me."

The Knicks were giving him his shot to run the team this week at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. He might not get another chance this good until next summer.

"He was projected higher and slid down, but that's all in the past and he's the type of player to put everything in front of him," Knicks assistant Tom Thibodeau said.

Now he's got to put his broken wrist behind him, too.

Andy Katz is a senior writer for ESPN.com.