Williams stock

[Skyguyb27]

There was a thread about people’s favorite players this year and a few mentioned AW. To me, he has underperformed what I believed he can do with his talents. I’d have to grade him very high on potential but as far as performance this far, he has a pretty low grade. His drive to the middle and throw up a Godawful shot has got to be the worst thing that can happen for this offense and his defense effort is lackadaisical at best.


Again I believe he has a lot of potential maybe even NBA potential but his play thus far is low grade. Can you guys tell me why your so
high on him right now based on his performance? What am I missing?

 

[Lempface]

As a whole he's probably made the most impressive collection of passes for assists on the season. He'd be even better at it if he was a threat to score on more than lobs and putbacks.

 

[Skyguyb27]

As a whole he's probably made the most impressive collection of passes for assists on the season. He'd be even better at it if he was a threat to score on more than lobs and putbacks.

I’m not hating on him by any means, and he does make some good passes I’ll admit that.

 

[westerncat]

We have 2 of the best passing big men I think in CBB right now. Both are limited on their shooting around the rim. Just need to work on their shooting. Williams is not very good from the FT line.

 

[WallMash]

when he starts to dribble five times and back his way toward the basket what I feel is....

a) the Matrix has suspended time and frozen all other players in place
b) he's the titantic and the basket is the iceberg
c) is it too late to change my bet on the over under

 

[billoliver40]

Williams and BG are finding their way in the system. Pitino never had a 5 that would dominate a game...just do their job and contribute. Kinda like Pope.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

He is who he is.

Compare his stats this year against what he did at Drexel. They’re pretty identical with some slight improvements even against better competition.

While it feels like his turnovers have been high, they’re what they’ve always been and now he’s initiating offense as well.

 

[TucsonCat]

Getting tired of the criticism of Williams for dribbling the ball. Want to get mad at someone, get mad at Mark Pope. It's his offense. Williams is only doing what the coach has told him to do.

It's a last option to an option to the offense. It happens 3 times a game and every now and then it works and it keeps the defense engaged so next time he can make the pass to a cutter.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

when he starts to dribble five times and back his way toward the basket what I feel is....

a) the Matrix has suspended time and frozen all other players in place
b) he's the titantic and the basket is the iceberg
c) is it too late to change my bet on the over under

Yep you can see when hes just decided on his own hes getting a shot up, no matter what. Frustrating.

He's an elite athlete with really good strength. If he can find any semblance of a jump shot from even 15 feet, it would completely change his career and financial trajectory.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

It happens 3 times a game and every now and then it works and it keeps the defense engaged so next time he can make the pass to a cutter.

Three times too many. He can still make great passes and keep the offense flowing by moving the ball back out quickly rather than trying to be Charles Barkley down there.

Also, babes weep and puppies die when he shoots free throws.

 

[Trinity45]

There was a thread about people’s favorite players this year and a few mentioned AW. To me, he has underperformed what I believed he can do with his talents. I’d have to grade him very high on potential but as far as performance this far, he has a pretty low grade. His drive to the middle and throw up a Godawful shot has got to be the worst thing that can happen for this offense and his defense effort is lackadaisical at best.


Again I believe he has a lot of potential maybe even NBA potential but his play thus far is low grade. Can you guys tell me why your so
high on him right now based on his performance? What am I missing?

He may well make an NBA team, he has proven the ability to hit the 3, passes great, it is his low post game that needs work, both Williams and Garrison dribble too much inside of the 10 ft range but actually go no where and tend to turn it over.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

There was a thread about people’s favorite players this year and a few mentioned AW. To me, he has underperformed what I believed he can do with his talents. I’d have to grade him very high on potential but as far as performance this far, he has a pretty low grade. His drive to the middle and throw up a Godawful shot has got to be the worst thing that can happen for this offense and his defense effort is lackadaisical at best.


Again I believe he has a lot of potential maybe even NBA potential but his play thus far is low grade. Can you guys tell me why your so
high on him right now based on his performance? What am I missing?

Does he miss some close shots, yes.
Is he a great passer, no.
Does he block a lot of shots, surprisingly no.
But to "give him a low grade" is a bit extreme.

His per-30-min stats are 14.7 pts, 13.2 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.4 blks, but also 3.2 TO.
Those are pretty good. That rebounding rate has only been surpassed by Oscar (his 1st yr at UK), it is better than Oscar's 2nd yr and than Cousins yr. His scoring rate is 4th on the team, ahead of Carr AND Robinson (who to me has been the biggest disappointment). The TOs are high, but he & Garrison & Carr are being asked to handle it more than most big men. Lets not forget that stat from just a week or two ago, that he was rated the #1 player defensively in all of college basketball. Did he have defensive lapses vs UL, yes, but that one game isn't the whole season.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Does he miss some close shots, yes.
Is he a great passer, no.
Does he block a lot of shots, surprisingly no.
But to "give him a low grade" is a bit extreme.

His per-30-min stats are 14.7 pts, 13.2 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.4 blks, but also 3.2 TO.
Those are pretty good. That rebounding rate has only been surpassed by Oscar (his 1st yr at UK), it is better than Oscar's 2nd yr and than Cousins yr. His scoring rate is 4th on the team, ahead of Carr AND Robinson (who to me has been the biggest disappointment). The TOs are high, but he & Garrison & Carr are being asked to handle it more than most big men. Lets not forget that stat from just a week or two ago, that he was rated the #1 player defensively in all of college basketball. Did he have defensive lapses vs UL, yes, but that one game isn't the whole season.

This. For all the grief we give him, he's a solid big for us. If he cleans up a few details, he could be GREAT.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Also, babes weep and puppies die when he shoots free throws.

 

[WeWant9_rivals]

Williams is one of those guys you got to take the good with the bad. He has made some big plays for the team, in some of our big games. I do think he tries to do a little too much and at times seems to get in his own head.

I did like reading that the staff has a montage of bad body language and working with guys on it. If he can reduce some of those mental lapses, he will be a force all game. FTs are what they are, just hope he gets at least a point while at the line.

 

[Skyguyb27]

This. For all the grief we give him, he's a solid big for us. If he cleans up a few details, he could be GREAT.

I agree his potential is off the charts, I’m only saying with the eye test right now he is underperforming compared to what I think he is capable of.

 

[know1]

Getting tired of the criticism of Williams for dribbling the ball. Want to get mad at someone, get mad at Mark Pope. It's his offense. Williams is only doing what the coach has told him to do.

It's a last option to an option to the offense. It happens 3 times a game and every now and then it works and it keeps the defense engaged so next time he can make the pass to a cutter.

I agree. This comment can be made basically multiple times every year. Some of the recent years, the mob on here were merciless on certain players and it was just plain ugly.

Ultimately, it's the coaching staff's responsibility to prepare and develop them and decide whether to have them on the floor.

 

[Tayshaun4Three]

There was a thread about people’s favorite players this year and a few mentioned AW. To me, he has underperformed what I believed he can do with his talents. I’d have to grade him very high on potential but as far as performance this far, he has a pretty low grade. His drive to the middle and throw up a Godawful shot has got to be the worst thing that can happen for this offense and his defense effort is lackadaisical at best.


Again I believe he has a lot of potential maybe even NBA potential but his play thus far is low grade. Can you guys tell me why your so
high on him right now based on his performance? What am I missing?

I’m not high enough on him to see an NBA prospect. I’ve certainly never agreed with that as a projection for Williams. He does have outstanding vision, excellent passing skills, has an exceptional frame for anchoring the low post defensively. He is a good shot blocker and his post hook from duck-in is good. However, he uses his dominant hand almost exclusively, drives are always the same direction, has limited ability to score from outside the paint, occasionally makes poor decisions with the ball, and has motor issues. It’s a mixed bag, definitely not easy as saying he is great or terrible. He’s a very good player and shows flashes of greatness at the college level. The problem when you hear the word flashes when you’re talking about a graduate is that it is difficult to fix a motor issue, consistency issues or mentality issues.

 

[Skyguyb27]

Getting tired of the criticism of Williams for dribbling the ball. Want to get mad at someone, get mad at Mark Pope. It's his offense. Williams is only doing what the coach has told him to do.

It's a last option to an option to the offense. It happens 3 times a game and every now and then it works and it keeps the defense engaged so next time he can make the pass to a cutter.

I’m not so sure that’s a set play. To me that seems to go against the concept of the offense Pope runs. Is it hero ball or a set play I don’t know. I do know Pope said some guys aren’t buying into the offense yet doing their own thing but I’m not sure enough of Popes play to say if he does that or not. Again, I’m not part of any mob or coming down on a player. Infact I was very complimentary of his potential. I just don’t think he is displaying it yet.

 

[UKSanders_rivals37733]

The main surprise for me with Williams is I thought he would challenge and block more shots.

Admittedly, b/c several of the opponents have players who are just better than he was accustomed to facing in his league, he's probably still adjusting to trying to block shots as the timing needs to be a little quicker.

Hopefully, he can adjust and start blocking (or at least altering) more shots.

 

[TucsonCat]

Is he a great passer, no.

What? He's the best passing center I've seen here.

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

He’s got the size, athleticism and basketball IQ to be a really good big man. I’m confident this coaching staff will be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

 

[CrazyCat74]

His stock would go through the roof and all our fans would fall in love with him again if he plays hard all the time.

He's only playing 20 mins a game. This isn't Drexel, you gotta bring it to earn it.

I don't like seeing the ball in his hands so much at the top of the key but Coach Pope does to open up cutting lanes so I can live with some of the lazy passes.

 

[4849515878969812...]

Williams needs to stick to what he's good at (passing and putbacks). He should never put the ball on the floor and never shoot beyond 2 feet.

He'll never sniff of the NBA. He will play overseas if anywhere after college.

 

[TomTraubertsBlues]

I don't Williams making it in the NBA at all. His handles are not good and he just doesn't have much of an offense game. And his motor is suspect at best. I was surprised when one of the Field of 68 guys listed him as one of our potential NBA guys.

 

[wkycatfan7]

Needs to better understand his role IMO. Rebound and block shots, play with more passion.

 

[Wunky]

I mean he’s almost averaging a double-double, to go along with 1.8 bpg. That’s not too shabby.

As long as he gives max effort every second he’s out there (been a bit of an issue thus far) and learns to kick out when he’s doubled, we’ll be fine. His turnovers are high, but you kinda live with that as good of a passer as he is. He and BG both take way too long to make their moves in the post. Both need to make quicker decisions. And continue to put up 100+ FT’s a day, as well.

 

[Montana81]

I don't Williams making it in the NBA at all. His handles are not good and he just doesn't have much of an offense game. And his motor is suspect at best. I was surprised when one of the Field of 68 guys listed him as one of our potential NBA guys.

Yeah i don’t see it either but his advanced defensive metrics are other worldly. Evan Miya has him in a category by himself last i checked. 100% tile. And he DOES have nba size and athleticism and can switch all 5 positions on D. That last one is what got Bam drafted so high. Ofcourse Bam was also 5 years younger than Williams and had several other gifts that Williams doesnt but I could see a team taking a chance on him as a free agent in hopes he can be a role playing D guy. He IS a terrific passer too. So he’s not a total negative on offense. He’s very unlikely to get drafted at his age though.

 

[catsfanbgky]

What? He's the best passing center I've seen here.

He may not even be the best passing center on his team, much less at UK ever. He makes some really good passes, and some not so good passes. You have to take the bad with the good when evaluating him. His assist per game, very good for a Center, his turnovers per game is very bad for a Center.

 

[LmdCat]

As a whole he's probably made the most impressive collection of passes for assists on the season. He'd be even better at it if he was a threat to score on more than lobs and putbacks.

I would like him better if he just realizes his limitations. Scoring isn't his strength, he should stop backing down people he simply can't score on, which includes everyone.

 

[SemperFiCat]

He's pretty darn good... when he brings the energy. He hurts himself, and the team, when he checks out mentally. If he can keep his motor up, it'll be tough to keep him off the floor. All that said, I like what Garrison is bringing. And I like that, no matter who starts or plays more, there isn't a dramatic drop in talent and value between the two of them.

 

[Skyguyb27]

He’s got the size, athleticism and basketball IQ to be a really good big man. I’m confident this coaching staff will be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

You know I was thinking about this very thing. Here is my humble theory. Cal is/was a marketing genius and could market his boys to the NBA. He did prepare them somewhat and helped them learn the pitfalls to joining the league. Pope on the other hand may not be quite the genius at marketing but I honestly believe his players will be more overall prepared for any part of the game whether they go to the league, Asia, Europe, etc. I think to make it in Pope’s system you have to have good ball IQ and a desire to learn more because it sounds like it’s expected.

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

You know I was thinking about this very thing. Here is my humble theory. Cal is/was a marketing genius and could market his boys to the NBA. He did prepare them somewhat and helped them learn the pitfalls to joining the league. Pope on the other hand may not be quite the genius at marketing but I honestly believe his players will be more overall prepared for any part of the game whether they go to the league, Asia, Europe, etc. I think to make it in Pope’s system you have to have good ball IQ and a desire to learn more because it sounds like it’s expected.

I might add that Pope’s coaching is better suited to experienced, older players, at least in his first season or two. We are going to see some really smart, developed players once they get 2-3 years with our staff.