The LA Clippers’ own Lou Williams will enter the season as the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Can he live up to the expectations he’s set for himself?
The NBA regular season begins in a matter of weeks. In anticipation of LA Clippers basketball returning, let’s get to know reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams.
Arrival
Lou Williams, a career bench player, found his way to the Houston Rockets from the LA Lakers at the 2017 trade deadline. For the remaining part of the 2016-2017 season, the Rockets had the two Sixth Man of the Year front runners in Williams and Eric Gordon. Just four months after being traded to Houston, Williams was dealt back to LA, this time to the LA Clippers, along with Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and many other pieces in exchange for Chris Paul.
This trade signified the end of the Lob City era for the Clippers, and ignited a second short lived Blake Griffin led era.
On his third team in four months, Williams was looking for some stability. With the Clippers, he quickly became the second option, and when Griffin was dealt to the Detroit Pistons in January, the Clippers became Lou’s team.
In his 13th season in the NBA, Williams averaged career highs in the points and assists categories, and shot a career high amount of free throws, two pointers, and three pointers per game, along with career highs in free throw and three point percentage. Williams is also the first player in NBA history to average over 20 points for the first time in their career after the age of 30. His incredible season led to him earning his second Sixth Man of the Year Award, as he was the front runner for the vast majority of the season. His ability to take over games and the way he scores in bunches off the bench landed him a contract extension in February to remain in LA.
Now that we nailed down his background, let’s look into his expected role in the 2018-2019 season.