Season in Review: Lou Williams

by Jordan Sams on May 17, 2009 5:33 PM PDT

My former boy Lou Williams. I once thought he was the point guard of the future. Oh how times have changed.

Coming into the season, the freshly signed ink on Lou-Will's new contract was still drying. At the time of his five year, 25 million dollar extension I thought, "Wow, three or four years down the road this is going to look like one of the best contracts in the NBA." Less than 365 days later, I regress.

If Lou was a legitimate starting point guard on a championship contender -- which I thought he was -- his contract would have been a bargain, but he's not. So, what is Lou's role on a championship team? Does he fit on a championship team at all? Yes and no.

Deep down, I still believe Lou can be a contributer. No, he's not the point guard of the future, but he can provide instant offense off the bench. Think Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson.

Lou is still only 22 years old. The talent is there. The problem with Lou are the constant mental lapses -- the missed defensive assignments, the jump passes and the ill-advised shots. The good news is, there's still hope. He needs to take all he's learned from Allen Iverson, Andre Miller, Kevin Ollie and Mo Cheeks and mold his game from bits and pieces of theirs. Of all the players on the roster, I think Lou's success depends most on the new head coach.

My unknown infatuation with Louis Williams will always lead me to believe he'll live up to his potential some day. That said, I'm not against trading him this off-season. If Stefanski aka "The SHOT" has to sacrifice Lou to rid the team of Sammy D or Bill Green, I'm down. Same goes for acquiring a shooter.

In my opinion, Lou was by far the biggest disappointment of the 2008-2009 season.

Best games: I struggled to remember Lou-Will's "best games".

@Orlando -- 18 points, 7-11 shooting, 3-3 from three.

Lou, along with Donny-Ice were the main ingredients in the Sixers huge game one comeback against the Magic. It wasn't just Lou's scoring -- he was running, he was finding Donny-Ice, he was playing defense. If only, he could bottle this type of performance and do it consistently...

@Washington -- 26 points, 10-17 shooting, 4-8 from three, 4 assists, 0 turnovers.

Lou had a stretch during this game where he looked like Kobe Bryant. He literally made my jaw drop during a stretch in the first half. During that stretch, Lou dropped 16 straight Sixer points, which included a contested-Shane Battier-hand-in-your-face-type-defense-fadeaway three. Unfortunately, I cannot find the YouTube clip of it, so you're just going to have to take my word for it.

Grade: D

I expected so much more from Lou Williams this season. Did I have unrealistic expectations? Or was Lou that disappointing?

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I read somewhere a while back that the Mo Cheeks firing affected Lou the most since Mo was on his butt every day and Tony let him have a lot of freedom.

by The Legend on May 17, 2009 5:55 PM PDT reply actions

that would make sense

http://www.libertyballers.com/

by Remis on May 17, 2009 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I believe someone on here had that theory.

I forget who, and who knows where they got it from, but it definetely makes sense.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on May 17, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I certainly subscribe to that theory, but I also take a few steps further. I think Lou was adversely affected by Korver’s trade, which is what started this “instant offense” thing. Then there was also the trade of Kevin Ollie, who was the vocal mentor Miller never was. I have seen several interviews where Lou has mentioned that Miller does not really say much to anyone off the floor. Meanwhile, Lou would also talk about how Ollie would have this pointer or this critique. Then, before Mo was gone, Henry Bibby did not come back as an assistant coach. He was another guy who stayed on Lou from what I understood.

So, you go from a situation where Lou had 3 vocal NBA point guard mentors and one leader by example to where he now had one leader by example and was told that he was the bench offense, period. It was a bad situation all the way around.

Now, do I believe him to unsalvageble? No, I do not. For one, he is very young, basically a college senior for all intents and purposes. Lou is not a true PG; but that’s fine. The goal should not have been to make him into Chris Paul 2.0 either. Instead, the template should have been Tony Parker with a consistent 3. Especially with a natural playmaker like Iguodala playing next to him.

The big key is the next coach. If they get a good coach with a dynamic offensive system that does not require a true PG to run it(i.e. Collins, Jordan, Elston Turner), and who will enforce discipline and accountability among all players.

by RSWKnight on May 17, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

And if someone here had the theory – that’s all it is – a thoery with no substantive proof.

Lou sucked BEFORE mo got fired this year too – he didn’t start off hot and then get better – he sucked all year – thus the firing would be contraidicated as a cause.

THe problem most likely is that after only one real season of consistent playing time where teams weren’t ready for him people though THAT was the beginning of Lou Williams where it might have been the best he’ll ever be able to play.

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 18, 2009 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I think a bit of both

your expectations may have been a little high, but he certainly underpeformed too. Possibly the pressure of the new contract. Possibly the coaching change. Possibly the fact that much of the team was struggling at various points. Hopefully, he’ll get back to where he should be, or he’ll be gone.

by chillicothe20 on May 17, 2009 6:12 PM PDT reply actions

Louuuuuuuuuuuu definitely disappointed me too, you’re not the only one. if he kept going at the rate that he was going at, after this off season, i wouldn’t care at all if we didn’t get another point guard to replace andre miller if he were to leave. but now, obviously because of all the reasons that jsams just listed, i think we should worry if we don’t replace miller with another pg…
i’m not sure and am probably wrong about this, but maybe a reason why lou sucked this year is because he wasn’t really focused on this season because of his contract situation and after he got signed, maybe he was kind of playing towards the contract that he just got last year and now he has no incentive to play as hard and precise as he has in the past.. idk just a theory…

http://www.libertyballers.com/

by Remis on May 17, 2009 6:14 PM PDT reply actions

LouuuuuuuuuIuuuuuuuuuuuuu

had a horrible year!! Agree. I think he will rebound this year. Read an old article that he was the most improved the year before in the NBA. I don’t think all that is gone.

Why?? Who knows! But I believe alot of it had to do w/ Willie Green playing. Just think, you are considered worse than Willie Green by your coaches. Talk about a slap in the face! Sure, they can say all this nice stuff to you how you are needed for 2nd team but come on. I would be sick and play worse the Lou in his situation!

Mark my words, next year Lou will have a tremendous year!

by DeanH on May 17, 2009 6:48 PM PDT reply actions

You do know Lou played more minutes then Bill right? People make way to much out of starting. Does that mean Greg Popovich thinks Roger Mason Jr. is a better player then Manu Ginobli?

by The Legend on May 17, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions

Forgot to respond

Yes, I know he played more than Bill. But, as stated by others in this blog, I had a bad year. I am talking of head stuff and not facts. I have no idea why Lou had a bad year. Most of us agree with that statement (except a few). Starting, IMO, is an ego issue and that is what I atttempted to say above.

And, I could be completely wrong, but my thoughts are stated.

by DeanH on May 20, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

damn

the way everyone is talking on here you would think lou’s stats would be down drastically from last year. however he was pretty consistent with none of his stats being down worth mentioning. shit his scoring even increased by 1.3 points per game. sure his shooting was down slightly and im in no way standing up for his piss poor shooting percentage but dont forget he never had a good shooting percent and also it seemed like as the season went on his percent went up. his free throw percent was 2nd on the team behind miller and lastly i dont know how you can call him a disappointment when the team as a whole struggled alot more then most imagined.

by jallstarzz13 on May 17, 2009 10:59 PM PDT reply actions

averaging 1.3 points on a full shot per game more

is not that good…. plus his fg% was down 5% and three point down 7%…. percentages down that much are not slight differences… a 35% 3 point shooter is considered good and somewhat reliable… 28% is not good at all and someone opposing teams don’t guard as tightly on the perimeter

by Tanner Steidel on May 18, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions

and a 1.6 assist/turnover ratio does not cut it at all

by Tanner Steidel on May 18, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

but his points per game was up – and that’s what really amtters isn’t it?

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 18, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

didnt expect that

i did not realize this was a place that people got attacked for sharing thoughts and facts damn all i was pointing out was the fact that the posts above me painted a picture that made it seem like lou went from being a star to someone that barely contributed

by jallstarzz13 on May 19, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions

This is a place where the facts matter, and there is more to basketball than points per game – it’s a horrible judge of how good a player is – you think sixer fans would know that after the Iverson era – you said ‘he wasn’t so bad’ – and you used his points per game goin up as your only evidence while most other data indicates he was craptastic.

You weren’t attacked – your points were disproven – that’s called debate and discussion – baby pool is over there

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 19, 2009 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Attack

I do not believe debating facts are an attack. I have seen on other blogs attacks but stating facts or opinion is not an attack.

As most know, I am a big fan of Lou. But he had a very bad year, IMO. I do expect a great year next year from Lou. I do believe he will realize mistakes as he tends to shoot and think later! But I do think he thinks later unlike some other players with initials SD.

by DeanH on May 20, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Your expectations were too high

He is still young and has a number of years to prove himself. Still, this year he did raise his scoring average, albeit not by much. The thing is, when he sucked the rest of the bench seemed to suck as well. Someone on here already mentioned that he was supposed to be the spark off the bench and basically the entire bench scoring relied on him. That point being one of the reasons he had a disappointing year. That person could not have been more correct. The sixers can not rely on a player like this who is undisciplined when they have a lax coach. You will see a number of players improve their game not because of talent, but with discipline if the team acquires the right coach. Of course, and most of us can agree, this is exactly what the team needs.
I do not think he will be a point guard, and frankly, I never want to see him be a point guard, but he should develop into a valuable backup shooting guard. However, he needs a good bench to support him. The sixers will be making a big mistake if they make him a starter anytime soon. He sitll has a lot to learn and his defense is pretty bad. When I watched him play over the past season he still looked like a high school player in my eyes. At times I really wanted to give up on the guy, but it{s still too obvious that he has a lot of talent. I wouldnt be too upset if he were traded, but I also have a feeling that other teams would have a lot of success with him.
So…we’ll see.

by jefu on May 18, 2009 7:12 AM PDT reply actions

I completely agree. I was gonna say that he was in a tough situation because the bench was pretty weak and the rotation was really inconsistent all year, especially under Cheeks. If Speights can take a step forward that should help Lou tremendously…they obviously developed a connection right away last year and Marreese can provide that 2nd dynamic scoring option in the 2nd unit.

I thought Lou looked a little better down the stretch, highlighted by that game 1, despite the team losing almost all of those games

by jmorcate on May 18, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Seriously – is it that simple for some – if your scoring average is up you had a better season?

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 18, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

Well..

I listed that as one positive amongst a larger list of negatives. And you are correct, in no way that does mean he had a better season. However, I`m not so sure anyone on here was implying that.

by jefu on May 18, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

<i.the way everyone is talking on here you would think lou’s stats would be down drastically from last year. however he was pretty consistent with none of his stats being down worth mentioning. shit his scoring even increased by 1.3 points per game. sure his shooting was down slightly

of course the person contradicts himself (or doesn’t think that shooting percentages matter much) – but that sounded pretty positive to me.

The argument that lou was even ‘as good as’ last year is weak – he was worse – and it’s sad – but the most important thing is WHY he was worse and is it fixable?

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 18, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Yea you`re right

I realized that after I posted my comment but I didn`t feel like calling anyone out directly.

I think he was worse for two main reasons:

1. With the signing of a bigger contract, people automatically gave him higher expectations.
2. From news reports, we know that Dileo wanted him to be `more aggressive,` but that equated to making dumb mistakes on a very consistent basis. Dileo is not the type of coach to bench players for screwing up. Rather, he thinks they will somehow work through their problems on their own.
Lou seems to be the type of player who needs someone to bust his a$$ everytime he screws up.

As I mentioned in my first post, I think it`s fixable with the right coach and the right supporting cast. If not, trade him after next year at the latest.

by jefu on May 18, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions

If DiLeo told Lou to be more aggressive and a more aggressive lou makes more mistakes and DiLeo doesn’t then point out to lou to be less aggressive so he takes care of the ball more, that’s on the coach, not on lou, he’s doing what the coach told him to do.

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 19, 2009 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree with that. Lou is the kind of player who tends to turn the ball over more naturally, but I didn’t think he was all that bad in terms of turnovers until he started trying to force things. The fact that he was put in situations where he had to try to force his offense is as much and indictment of the coaches/other players on the floor than it is of Lou. Obviously the bad shots and jump passes are on him, but a lot of the time it seemed like he had his worst games when he was being asked to run the offense 1 on 5.

by zfg on May 19, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Right, what I said.

And thank goodness this team is getting a new coach.

by jefu on May 19, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I’d say he had a disappointing season, but there’s still hope. I think of anybody currently on the roster, Lou would be the one to benefit the most from good coaching. First off, I would say everybody can agree that his biggest weakness was his (at times) bad decisions with the ball and horrible shot selection. The good news is that both of those are correctable and Lou is still only 22 years old. The second problem I see is that for some reason everybody, including the Sixers’ coaching staff, got it in their head that Lou was an “instant offense” guy, and treated him as such. News flash: Lou is not Ben Gordon or Jason Terry! He can’t shoot as well as either of those guys, but he’s also a better facilitator — but when you put him out there with offensive stiffs like Dalembert/Ratliff, Ivey and Evans, that skill becomes worthless.

So, basically, Lou can still be a big asset for the Sixers going forward, but he needs to be managed correctly. While he is still young, he’s been around a while. One would assume if he doesn’t "get it’ in the next couple seasons, he probably never will. I’d like to see him stick around and see what we’ve got in a good system, but if a good trade offer comes up, I wouldn’t be too sad to see him go.