One season may be all that we need to see of Lou Williams on the Lakers
When Lou Williams left the rotation with a strained hamstring, the Los Angeles Lakers were actually able to improve their energy and rhythm.
Although it is always unfortunate when a player suffers an injury, Williams’ absence didn’t hurt the team the way some may have expected. Despite losing one of their primary scorers, the Lakers were able to play a much more effective brand of basketball without him.
Marcelo Huertas did a solid job of filling in for the diminutive shooting guard, playing well with his teammates and racking up assists and highlight passes. Although he can’t scored in the same volume as Williams, he is able to score in more efficient ways within the flow of the offense.
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Although Huertas has remained in the rotation since Williams’ return, his effectiveness has been compromised by the return of the high-volume shooter in Lou. As a pure point guard, Huertas is most useful with the ball in his hands, something that Williams ensures happens far less frequently than it should. Williams’ presence also compromises the defense of this unit, as neither Huertas or Williams are able to slow down opposing guards with any regularity.
Huertas has also helped out many of the Lakers’ young players. His selfless style of play and his ability to complete flashy passes has motivated players like Tarik Black and Larry Nance Jr. to run the floor harder and move without the ball. This burgeoning chemistry has led to several highlight plays already and promises to lead to many more if the players are allowed to play together with more regularity.
The absence of Williams also had an impact on other members of the team however, as D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson took full advantage of the greater freedom that were given. With one of the most ball dominant players out of the rotation, the Lakers young guards were given a chance to show what they can do. The more consistent minutes his absence granted them also helped them to settle into more of a rhythm.
With Russell and Clarkson representing the backcourt of the future, the Lakers should be devoting all of their resources to their development. With this in mind, Williams’ presence on the team makes very little sense. As a ball-dominant guard, Williams has been one of the most significant barriers to the progress of the Lakers young guards and may continue to be the same into the next season.
Since Williams has returned, he has continued to put points on the board, but his flaws have been glaringly evident. Often shooting poor shots early in the shot clock or using up most of a possession in an attempt to draw a foul, his impact on the offensive rhythm of his teammates has been evident. On the defensive side, Williams has continued to struggle to affect the shots of larger players and often allows dribble penetration despite his impressive quickness.
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Although Lou Williams is a talented player, his selfish style of play doesn’t do the team as a whole any favors. When combined with his serious deficiencies on defense, these factors make him an overall liability to the team. Because the goal should be for the young players to gain confidence and experience, playing time for ball-dominant players like Williams should be minimized as much as possible.