Two games in and the two 76ers who have made the biggest impression during the preseason have been point guard Lou Williams and power forward Jason Smith.
While it’s important not to get too carried away with preseason statistics, it’s no denying the success that Williams and Smith have had.
In two games, Williams has 49 points after a 33-point effort in Friday’s 91-90 overtime loss to the visiting New Jersey Nets.
True, the Nets were without four starters, but that wasn’t Williams’ fault. Or Smith’s.
People keep being hung up that Williams would be better suited to the two-guard spot because of his scoring mentality.
Coach Maurice Cheeks said that Williams could play both positions.
He will likely back up Andre Miller, and it was probably no coincidence that the two played together for a brief stretch against the Nets.
Of course Miller and Williams were also paired together at times late last season. Cheeks is reluctant to put them together for extended minutes because of the potential defensive mismatches.
Still, Williams is playing his way into the rotation and it could cut some minutes of Willie Green and Rodney Carney, who have been battling for the two-guard spot.
Smith on the other hand has been one of the most pleasant surprises.
He is at the point now where he is looking for his shot, something that he didn’t do as recently as the early portion of summer league.
After his first summer league game, Cheeks basically told him to stop being so timid and that seemed to wake Smith up.
He improved as he went along in the summer and came to camp more confident.
He is a contrasting player to starter Reggie Evans, who has no shooting range, but is a tenacious rebounder. Smith has to get physically stronger and a little tougher inside, but those things will come.
He has shown that he can shoot, handle the ball and Cheeks says he’s been happy with Smith’s defense. In the first half alone, against the Nets, Smith had four blocked shots.
Again, two games, isn’t much of a body of work, but while most of the key Sixers have either been injured or lethargic, Williams and Smith are certainly making the most of their preseason opportunities.
Comments (32)
Is it an overstatement to say that it looks like Lou Williams could eventually develop into the star of this team in the not-too-distant future? And I'd much rather watch a team of youngsters play, learn and develop than watch a team of retreads who might win a few more games. It's funny how the Sixers seem to do well with 2nd round picks - Williams, Korver, Green - back to the ultimate 2nd rounder - Mo Cheeks.
Posted by steve wolk | October 13, 2007 12:36 AM
Posted on October 13, 2007 00:36
Love the blog. Can you do more than one per day?
As far as the budding interest in Lou Williams as a contributor to this year's team... I say throw him in there. The guy can score and get to the line - a lot.
But of course when we're talking about an undersized player moving from the point to the 2, we always here about the concern over defensive mismatches. There's always defensive mismatches guarding a two, even if a defensive "stopper" is guarding a 2. Lou is a hardworking, tough, exceptionally quick athlete who would at least be willing to work on the defensive end of the court. And that's better than most 2's, even those a couple of inches taller.
Posted by Bill Cook | October 13, 2007 9:15 AM
Posted on October 13, 2007 09:15
I see the Sixers as a scrapping, hustling, come to play every game, pain in the ass team that involves all of its players.
Dalembert's foot problems are of concern; however, with what we saw come from the young fellows last evening, I am solidly with Coach Frank of the Nets.
I'll tell you...it is not a stretch of the imagination to see these guys in the playoffs.
Posted by Ed Rosenberg | October 13, 2007 10:34 AM
Posted on October 13, 2007 10:34
Oh dear god...people are fooled by summer league and pre season games....stop it already...look closely at the box score if you were too busy to watch the game, look who DIDN"T play for the nets, pay attention to the fact that the sixers starters got waxed by the nets starters, the scrubs made a come back.
And no louis williams won't ever be a star in the league...john salmons once dominated a summer league as well...how'd that turn out.
Remember the earlier blog postings and news articles where williams wasn't even out playing kevin ollie in practice...sure williams will play, cause king will mandate it (like he did with o'brien when o'brien wanted sam to NOT be the starter but sam was a whiny baby publicly about it) cause king is an idiot who has to be proven right.
Williams contract will make me feel better about Greens
Posted by Pete | October 13, 2007 4:26 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 16:26
The Sixers are a 500 team in their dreams. Billy King blew his chance last year at getting some young talent that could make a difference. Now they will be good enough to win 30 -35 games and get a 12-15 rounder again.
The whole teams success depends on Dalembert, and that is a scary thought. No NBA team will ever win a championship without a dominate big guy, and Dalembert is just to injury prone to ever be able to practice all the time and get better, and secondly he is has a low basketball IQ. Just watch him play, physically he could be dominating, but mentally he is usually in the wrong position. I had high hopes for him two years ago, but now I realize he is a waste of time. Sixers in for a long season, unless Dalembert puts on a Superman outfit and comes out fighting instead of playing ball like a woman.
Posted by Will Mac | October 13, 2007 5:23 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 17:23
Louis Williams could definitely turn into a Monta Ellis type player.
Posted by David | October 14, 2007 3:22 PM
Posted on October 14, 2007 15:22
Lou williams reminds me of Iverson. He's gonna be tough i think starting this season.
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Posted on October 14, 2007 21:17
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Posted by Anonymous | October 14, 2007 9:18 PM
Posted on October 14, 2007 21:18
williams was a great high school player who reminded the sixers of Iverson. He is capable of being a good player in the league but not with the sixers who have 5 starting players that cant beat a good college team on a given night.
Posted by mike lucas | October 15, 2007 1:05 PM
Posted on October 15, 2007 13:05
I loved Lou when we took him in the 2nd and everyone asked WHY?
it just took some time.
Now, I'm not saying he's gonna be anything great but he's also playing for a contract so if he gets the right amount of minutes and time he can be an electric player on this roster.
Jason Smith I like his energy off the bench along with a Reggie Evans on the front line.
And we have to face it. This team has to play hard every night, scrap and claw because it's not that talented right now but if it's tough it'll be well respected in the city.
Posted by kevin | October 15, 2007 3:19 PM
Posted on October 15, 2007 15:19
I sure hope Mo Cheeks does not have strong feelings for Calvin Booth. I would much rather see him get minutes for Smith and Hill rather than watching Booth run up and down the court for a rebuilding team.
Posted by | October 15, 2007 4:06 PM
Posted on October 15, 2007 16:06
Srappy, hard working, low IQ, energy,pesty,.That's all I'm reading.. I haven't read that anyone can actually play BASKETBALL. It's like the old saying "She has a nice personality" That means "she ugly"
Posted by Pat H | October 16, 2007 1:49 PM
Posted on October 16, 2007 13:49
Play Williams at the 2, and get it over with. If he doesnt't produce, stick Green back in. Whats the big deal?
Posted by Will Mac | October 17, 2007 9:32 AM
Posted on October 17, 2007 09:32
Agreed. Williams at the 2. Neither Green nor Carney deserves to be starting.
Posted by Bathroom Dominator | October 17, 2007 11:30 AM
Posted on October 17, 2007 11:30
I can't believe the sixers are going to start the season with this pathetic roster. How could they possibly think that ppl are going to cough up their hard earned money to come watch this trash. Pathetic.
Posted by Mr. Bean | October 17, 2007 12:47 PM
Posted on October 17, 2007 12:47
Is this guy on drug? Deep Sixers? Are you serious? They are in Deep Trouble, maybe
Posted by Oliver | October 17, 2007 12:53 PM
Posted on October 17, 2007 12:53
Please, no Williams at the 2! I like having fairly tall 2-guards. Save Lou for the PG this year.
If they make the 8th seed this year they are considered overachievers in my opinion. Of course, it will screw up a prime draft spot just like last year...
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