NEW YEAR, DIFFERENT CLIPPERS
This NBA season there has been a lack of big surprises. There’s been no big shockers, some unexpected rookie talent exemplified by players like Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell, but overall, nothing that people couldn’t have predicted. One of the only surprises this season has been the Clippers mediocrity, which few people could have expected. The return of Blake Griffin and rise of Austin Rivers are key reasons that I predicted that the Clippers would still be somewhat successful,
especially with the additions of Milos Teodosic, Danilo Gallinari, and Montrezl Harrell.
I couldn’t have been more wrong about the additions. With Teodosic’s and Gallinari’s injuries keeping them out of the lineup, the lack of a leader has really plagued the Clippers early, even with Blake Griffin playing like he is. Somebody, however, has stepped up early that I couldn’t have predicted, Lou Williams. He’s definitely being Slept On these past couple years, and he had made a solid All-Star case late in the first half of the season. Unfortunately, he wasn’t selected, and he feels he was snubbed.
Was Lou Williams referring to being snubbed from the All-Star Game? pic.twitter.com/mxoG7EyYjC
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 24, 2018
Damn right. Smh https://t.co/sbHuK4fqD3
— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) January 24, 2018
LOU WILLIAMS: THE MAN YOU ALL FORGOT ABOUT
Let me get one thing straight, I was going to drop this article BEFORE Williams dropped 50 on the Warriors. Williams’ streak of brilliance has been longer than just these past few weeks, it’s been all season. Through 45 games this season, Williams has only had single digit scoring twice, and has 27 games with 20+ points. But the more impressive statistic to keep in mind is that he has only started in 14 games this season.
I’m thinking the same as you, if he’s so dominant, why hasn’t he been starting? Well that question is not answerable. People like Sindarius Thornwell have started over him more than once (*cough* Doc Rivers *cough*). I understand that Williams has come off the bench for several NBA teams in the past 4-5 years. I think it’s time for the Clippers to realize that he’s a legitimate scorer and potential superstar.
HOW IS HE GETTING IT DONE?
Lou Williams is the first guard I have covered in the Slept On series (check out my other Slept On players here), so I had to watch a little bit more film to see just how Lou Williams gets his buckets. His shooting is obviously the prized jewel in his scorin
g crown, as he’s shooting 41.4% from behind the arc. 41.4% is really good, but the stat looks even better when you realize just how many threes he takes. He has taken the sixth most threes in the NBA, and shoots the third highest percentage of these six players (behind only the Splash Brothers).
Lou Williams is not afraid to pull up from just about anywhere, and he cashes in his jumper enough times to where it is definitely acceptable. He has a decent number of layups in his bag that he uses to finish at the rim, but his jumper is still his go to, and this is evident in his efficiency at the free throw line. He’s shooting 90.1% from the free throw, so teams don’t have the option to just foul him whenever he goes to the basket. With this shooting touch and ability to finish, it’s no wonder that Lou Williams has hit his stride this season.
Lou Will is definitely a star this season. His impressive scoring touch and his ability to lead a leaderless Clippers team has created a new experience for him. He could have been an All-Star. He’s been impressive in 2017-18, and he is completely:
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