Elliot Williams and his future role

[Fez Hammersticks]

I just read a scouting report from Sports Illustrated that got me thinking about maybe pairing him up with Roy in the backcourt.

Some scouts, apparently, say he's the best on-ball defender in this draft, even better than Avery Bradley.

He's labeled a "playmaking SG," combined with his defensive instincts, isn't this the type of guard that would be an ideal fit next to Roy?

 

[Haakzilla]

I just read a scouting report from Sports Illustrated that got me thinking about maybe pairing him up with Roy in the backcourt.

Some scouts, apparently, say he's the best on-ball defender in this draft, even better than Avery Bradley.

He's labeled a "playmaking SG," combined with his defensive instincts, isn't this the type of guard that would be an ideal fit next to Roy?

...YES, just as long as he develops his jumper/3pt range!

 

[THE HCP]

Never seen him play, but I'm looking forward to it!

 

[THE HCP]

I do agree that if you are going to succeed playing in the backcourt with Roy, you better be able to hit the 3!

 

[Rhal]

I really wanted us to draft Elliot this year but didn't think he would fall to us. I think he will turn into what we want Bayless to be (PG that can finish at the rim, hit the three, and defend).

 

[julius]

Was it him or Armon Johnson who was the jumper/dunker?

That's the role I hope one of them finds on the team.

 

[THE HCP]

I think it's Williams that's the freak athlete!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

The Blazers were so high on the 6-foot-5 combo guard, they rated him the second-best athlete in last month's NBA draft behind only No. 1 overall draft pick John Wall. Before the draft, during an individual workout in Santa Monica, Calif., Williams registered a 48-inch vertical leap.

LINK

His no-step vertical is also 41-inches.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

FWIW, he shot 37% from deep at Memphis.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Perhaps a little over the top, but Williams has the ability to generate steals and fluster offensive players like a prime Gary Payton. Using a non-stop motor and quick feet, he shuts down opposing ball-handlers. In fact, I believe he is a better on the ball defender than heralded Avery Bradley of Texas. The only adjustment required for the NBA is additional strength which comes wilt time in an NBA workout program.

LINK

 

[MickZagger]

Williams is one of the players I'm most excited to watch and hear about during training camp.

 

[Rhal]

Williams is one of the players I'm most excited to watch and hear about during training camp.

Same, was so disappointed that he missed summer league.

 

[Natebishop3]

Same, was so disappointed that he missed summer league.

Yeah... that was really too bad.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

And he's the only one who can help ET phone home!

 

[MARIS61]

Defense is vastly over-rated.

 

[Natebishop3]

Defense is vastly over-rated.

That explains why you like Rudy and Sergio so much.

 

[jlprk]

Was it him or Armon Johnson who was the jumper/dunker?

I think it's Williams that's the freak athlete!

The Sonics won too many games! We want our OWN Desmond Mason!

Same, was so disappointed that he missed summer league.

What are they hiding? That he can't really jump?

His no-step vertical is also 41-inches.

I thought it was 48. How'd he lose 7 inches of vertical? I throw this question to Sly.

 

[jlprk]

Desmond Mason was the most overrated dunking showboat the dying Sonics ever had. Think of a 6-5 Bayless who can't shoot, pass, defend, or dribble, so he makes a beeline for the hoop every time.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Future role? "Ass-splinter-picker-outer" sounds about right.

 

[THE HCP]

Gatorade Guard!

 

[THE HCP]

Boise Bound!

 

[Natebishop3]

I thought it was 48. How'd he lose 7 inches of vertical? I throw this question to Sly.

Maybe you didn't notice the "no-step" part of that sentence. Meaning he has a 41 inch vertical flat footed. He has a 48 inch vertical if he can take a step and jump.

 

[andalusian]

Maybe you didn't notice the "no-step" part of that sentence. Meaning he has a 41 inch vertical flat footed. He has a 48 inch vertical if he can take a step and jump.

Just to put in perspective, his no-step vertical is higher than Roy's running vertical (40.5) - and Roy is not exactly lacking in the athletic department...

 

[Mediocre Man]

He's Jarrett Jack on steroids.

 

[LittleAlex]

I just read a scouting report from Sports Illustrated that got me thinking about maybe pairing him up with Roy in the backcourt.

Some scouts, apparently, say he's the best on-ball defender in this draft, even better than Avery Bradley.

He's labeled a "playmaking SG," combined with his defensive instincts, isn't this the type of guard that would be an ideal fit next to Roy?

I think you just described Bayless, a guy who has already shown he can play at an NBA level (though not as a starter yet.)

 

[Ed O]

It seems that everything I red about Williams is good. Which is fantastic, but it makes me wonder why he slid as far as he did.

He's an undersized two without a strong perimeter shooter, but he still seems to have a ton of positives.

Ed O.

 

[hasoos]

My guess is they just wanted to bring in a guy who would push the guys in front of him and not bitch about playing time.

 

[Mediocre Man]

My guess is they just wanted to bring in a guy who would push the guys in front of him and not bitch about playing time.

Actually, in all seriousness, my same scout friend who thinks Nate's offense is easy to prepare for thinks Williams is a stud. He says he has the skill set to be amazing next to Roy. He isn't sure how he will fit into our offense though. He says Williams is more effective in the open court.


So take that for what you think it's worth.

 

[axs88]

I'd love for him to make Bayless expandable. He's bigger and more athletic, and supposedly a better defender. Miller showed last year though that it is good to have playmaking next to Roy, so we'll see how he's at that, and the outside shooting, of course.

 

[hasoos]

Actually, in all seriousness, my same scout friend who thinks Nate's offense is easy to prepare for thinks Williams is a stud. He says he has the skill set to be amazing next to Roy. He isn't sure how he will fit into our offense though. He says Williams is more effective in the open court.


So take that for what you think it's worth.

Athletic players with skills have the ability to make plays happen. Sometimes you don't need an offensive set for them to do something amazining. The problem is in the past, we have got Athletic guys who really don't know how to play ball, and needed anywhere from 3 to 5 years to become even average. I get the feeling with Williams (and reading his story about how he transferred) that he definitely already knew how to play ball. He played for coach K for a year. You can't play for coach K and not absorb a lot of knowledge, because if you are wasting his time, he will kick you to the curb.

The one thing that jumped out at me about Williams was this stat taken from DraftExpress:

Williams scored on higher rate on non-fast break posessions than any other player in last years draft, scoring at 45.4%. (I am not completely clear on what that means, as the stat sounds abiguous.) But it sounds positive.

He also gets fouled on 11% of his posessions.

Problems he poses for opposition: Lightning fast first step. Explosive. Knows how to use screens.