It’s funny, I was speaking to my Bro in Law back in Arkansas today. He doesn’t care one iota about the Hornets. He thinks MW is the steal of the draft. I asked him why. “He moves so incredibly well for a guy that size.”
Yeah I’m excited for summer league
Oh hi mark
Yeah, I was telling a friend when we were talking before the draft, that although I’ve been watching considerably less college ball each year, as a UNC alum, I did check out our last two games against Duke… and to me, outside of Banchero, and maybe even including him, Williams was the guy that jumped off the screen to me. He looked very fluid and athletic. At the time, I assumed he was like one of those springy, 6’10"- 6’11" type bigs. Little did I know, he was 7’2" with a standing 9’9" reach and moved that well. I saw people try to compare him to Hibbert in the draft process and I dont see that at all. No, he doesn’t quite move like a forward, but he moves incredibly well for a 7 footer, to the point, as I previously mentioned, I didnt think he was a 7 footer upon first glance.
So, although i was pissed draft night just because of the trade and lack of value we got back, thus making the whole event a huge bummer, from my own observations and checking out the video here, I am very excited about Williams’ potential. If we can get him to actually start taking that 3 point shot, and Clifford isnt an asshole, he very well could be our starting center day 1 this season and never look back. He has all the tools to become an all-star from what I see, and to affect the game on both sides of the floor. That three point stroke, especially for a big man is incredibly fluid, smooth, and quick. And as far as the movement and ability to switch, like I said, his movement is surprisngly fluid and smooth for his size. When he gets to having to move his feet in short spaces it does start to get a little more choppy but thats a lot of body to stop and start, so all things considered, it is still very impressive. It doesnt have to look great for him to still be in the area and have an affect on the opponent.
One point to remember with a center his size and the three. It doesn’t have to be anything more than a brook Lopez set shot. Just enough that you have to stay out towards him and rotate the defense. Especially in the early years.
Yup, just the threat of knowing he can hit it from out there at a decent clip is all we have been missing and needing.
I’ll settle for attempting a shot other than a dunk.
I’m still looking for positives in bringing Clifford back but one is I actually feel like Clifford is the right coach for Mark Williams.
Williams will be playing along side his rivel from Carolina Manax . Both will be playing on the summer team as teamates
And while they do that, I an ECU fan will wonder if we will ever have a good basketball team
And here we go…
https://twitter.com/EricPMusselman/status/1543618064587132930?s=20&t=LwvFWJ8lPnMV16mbn_LcXA
Williams was the difference in that game
Not saying that he’s ready to bang against the likes of Aquaman Steven Adams and Jake Valanciunas, but its encouraging to see that he can at least put up major league numbers in the minor league at minimum. Cause anything less would be uncivilized (old man reference)
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Wonder what the over/ under is on him joining the varsity team for good is.
I feel like strength will be his biggest hurdle right now, and getting playing experience will help the game slow down for him, as his actions still seem slow and deliberate. Once he doesn’t have to “think” as much before acting, then his length will definitely start to impact games more.
I assume he’ll jump back and forth when the team is at home, but unless Plum or Nick get hurt, I wouldn’t expect him to get any more than 5 minutes per game.
But a couple more 20 and 15 games, they might swap his and Kai’s spot on the traveling roster.
That was really good to see. For biggest guy on court, too soft. Better Strength and mentality like said above help.
And Will get good minutes and work in Greensboro against these mostly smaller more mobile/perimeter 6-8 g league centers, and from getting schemed off court. Kai took much later last Swarm season to be where MW at now.
I am so frustrated with this organization. Trade plumlee play Williams and Richards.
That first video I’m completely unimpressed. He’s beating up against a guy who looks like he’s 6’8 or 6’9 on a good day. Way smaller. Meh.
Mark to me looks better than both Richards and Plumlee now. Richards to me looks better than Plumlee.
I’ve given up hoping that Mitch will ever trade anyone during the season. Even off-season trades are very, very few. Rozier to compensate for losing Kemba and Graham because they weren’t going to pay him.
I just think Mitch may be kind of asleep at the wheel mostly.
Wonder if he’ll see any action tonight.
If we win or lose by 30 he will see time. If not, he will get reps in warmups.