Summer Reading: Louis Williams

Summer Reading is a series on what each Philadelphia Seventy-Sixer needs to do this off season in order to bring the Sixers back to the playoffs in ‘07–08. Each member of the Sixers will get a reading list, we’ll start with Bobby Jones, and end with Andre Iguodala (Least minutes per game to most).

Vital stats: 11.3 min, 44% FG, 32% 3PT, 69% FT, 1.1 reb, 1.8 asst, .36 steals, .75 turns, 4.3 ppg.
Required reading: Understanding Your Potential, by Myles Munroe; Fast, Cheap, and Under Control, by John Gaspard; Learning Curve, by Terry McLaughlin
Extra credit: Make Every Minute Count, by Harlan Lane and Christian Wayser
Suggested Viewing: The Apprentice

The Rub: Louis Williams was one of the great surprises of the season. In his rookie year, he seemed like he would be little more than a poor man’s Iverson, or worst-case scenario, a poor man’s Willie Green. All signs pointed to another gunner. This year, when he had Andre Miller to learn from, Williams showed himself to be much more.

Williams’ assist-to-turnover ratio (2.4 to 1) was very good for a 19 year-old, and toward the end of the season, he played important minutes spelling Miller. Williams showed the ability to get the team into their offense, and handle pressure bringing the ball up. He’s fast, and knows how to finish in the open floor.

The draft may affect Williams more than any other player. If the Sixers pick up a “true” point guard early in the draft (Acie Law, Mike Conley), he’s going to probably fall back to third on the depth chart, and maybe ninth or tenth in the rotation. If the Sixers don’t wind up with Law or Conley, Williams will see significant time as Miller’s backup.

He needs to work on his jumper. He’s a natural scorer, can get to the hole pretty much at will, and he’s a high-flying finisher on the bench. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing with Miller in the back court from time to time next year. Lou could have a bright future in Philly, or he could be buried on the bench. It all depends on the draft.

Up next: Shavlik Randolph

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