Lou Williams could really help a playoff team
By Tommy Dee
You can expect that Lou Williams is name which will be bounced around at the trade deadline in a few months. The 30-year old guard is enjoying a fantastic season for a Los Angeles Lakers team that has its eyes on the future. It’s no stretch to say that, if Williams keeps up what he’s doing this year for the Lakers, he could make a huge impact for a playoff team looking for an instant offensive upgrade.
Heading into the game against the New York Knicks on Sunday, Williams was on the short list of possible Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners in the midst of a blazing run. In the four games heading into that matchup with the Knicks, Williams averaged a sizzling 34.3 points per game, on 53 percent shooting from the field and 49 percent from 3-point range. Throughout parts of the game he was matched up against another Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Brandon Jennings. The two put on quite a show in the fourth quarter of the game at the Staples Center, putting up a combined 29 points in the Knicks’ 118-112 victory.
Williams is building some serious value for the Lakers, who may look to deal the 30-year-old scoring guard at the trade deadline. If they do, you can bet a long list of suitors will be lining up to acquire his services and the Lakers would do well to create a bidding war. Williams has always been similar to Jamal Crawford. He’s a combo, scoring guard who can light it up off the bench, off the dribble, and off the catch and, while you won’t confuse him for Alvin Robertson defensively, he’s capable enough to stay on the floor in crunch time.
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Averaging only 25.1 minutes per game this season, Williams’ per-36 minutes statistics are simply ridiculous. He’s averaging 27.8 points and 4.8 assists per-36 while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 40 percent from deep. He’s been most successful very early in the shot clock from 3-point range, off the catch. Per NBA Stats, Williams is shooting 53.8 percent on 3-pointers with between 22-18 seconds on the clock. He’s also shooting 53 percent with a 69.3 effective field goal percentage when taking zero dribbles. Combine that with his 47.2 percent from the field when he takes 3-6 dribbles and you have a player who can capably score with the ball and off of it. When you dig into the video, this has certainly been the case.
Here, Williams trails on the weak side and waits for the pass to get him into a quick rhythm for a spot-up 3-pointer early in the possession.
Another early make off the catch from 3 on a nice, two-man action with Randle.
Elevator doors…
Another thing that stands out about Williams, and helps explain his efficiency early in possessions is his ability to attack the defense and draw fouls. This is also a handy skill when trying to stay out of halfcourt situations and push the pace come playoff time. Forcing teams to foul in these situations is paramount to getting your team into the foul bonus as early as possible. This is especially an advantage for Williams, who has shot 86 percent from the free throw line this season and is a respectable 78 percent career free throw shooter in his 41 career playoff games with the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors.
Williams’ balanced scoring ability could be handy for teams looking to add offensive punch in halfcourt situations as they position themselves for a playoff push.
In terms of a match for Williams, it may be a bit early to tell and with the Warriors and Cavs firmly planted on top of their respective conferences it will be interesting to see who the buyers will be. The San Antonio Spurs and the Charlotte Hornets are right up there in their respective conference and in need of additional spot shooting. Both have really solid passing post players and point guards who can find Williams in his comfort zones on the weak side above-the-break and corner three point spots. The New York Knicks, who are currently dealing with Derrick Rose back spasms, could be a fit as well if they could get a third team involved to make it work. Odds are the Knicks wouldn’t be willing to part with draft picks in order to get a deal done.
Whatever happens, Williams is having his best year as a pro and he’s playoff tested and ready to help a team get over the hump. As good as he’s been, Williams doesn’t mean much for the Lakers, whose backcourt of the future is clearly D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. If you’re Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers, Williams could provide a pretty solid haul as the continue building for the future.