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The LA Clippers need Lou Williams to be his normal self

By Ryan Snellings

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 26: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers drives against John Collins #20, Clint Capela #15, De'Andre Hunter #12 and Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 26, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 26: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers drives against John Collins #20, Clint Capela #15, De'Andre Hunter #12 and Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 26, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are set to miss their second game in a row on Thursday night as the two go through the NBA’s health and safety protocol. In their absence, the LA Clippers need to get more production out of everyone, including three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams.

In the first game, however, Lou didn’t perform well. He scored just 11 points on 4 of 14 shooting from the field and only got to the foul line twice. He did add in three assists and three rebounds. Sadly, that won’t cut it when the team needs him to be one of, if not the top guys.

The LA Clippers need Lou Williams to play up to the best of his abilities.

Do I think Lou still has the capability? Of course! He just finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season and the last time I checked, still has the ability to go to his left.

Are his numbers down though? Yes, yes they are.

Granted, he’s not getting as many minutes this year (19.3 versus 28.7 last season) so I get that there is probably a bit of an adjustment on his part to make. His usage rate is down to 23.3% from 28.4% last season. He’s also not running with another Sixth Man of the Year candidate like he did the last couple of seasons.

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Even so, if we look at his per 36 minutes stats to sort of even everything out, you can see Lou just hasn’t been himself in the first 16 games of the season.

  • 2019-20 Per 36 Minutes: 22.9 PPG, 41.8 FG% (18.1 FGA), 35.2 3P% (6.1 3PA), 3.9 REB, 7.0 AST, 0.8 STL
  • 2020-21 Per 36 Minutes: 16.7 PPG, 38.3 FG% (15.5 FGA), 35.0 3P% (4.7 3PA), 3.4 REB, 5.1 AST, 1.1 STL

As you can see, the stats (aside from steals) are down across the board. In fact, Lou is shooting a lower percentage from the field while taking fewer shots. That’s….not ideal.

I won’t sit here and pretend I have some solution to get him to play better. Maybe it’s just an adjustment period to the new bench and offense. Maybe the gravity of Trezz no longer being there is giving defenses more of a chance to focus on stopping him. Maybe he’s just not feeling it.

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Regardless, the LA Clippers need Lou to start playing like his old self, especially during this streak without the two stars. If he can find his game, the best starting five in basketball will have a Sixth Man of the Year contender coming off the bench behind them, leaving opponents with absolutely no letdown. That’s a scary thought.

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