[ESPN Insider] Best Rookie in summer league: Alan Williams

My personal opinion, Zbo light. Not very tall, long arms, awkward low post shots with very quick release but very effective, good rebounder, good mid range shot, great 'feetwork' and and very good hands when catching a pass.

 

Al Jefferson

 

u people better get used to the starting PF of the Houston Rockets: Mr. Alan Williams.

 

Can we at least b**** about Morey not signing Josh first before we celebrate his brilliance?

 

The true fact : he was called the "Big Al" when he was playing in college.

 

Josh's fate has been sealed once Alan Williams came onto the scene.

 

I hope we can keep him. My concern is that we're at our quota for young players.

 

A D-league team must consist of 10 D league players min and the roster is 12.

That means the max the Rockets can sent to the Vipers from their 15 men roster will be 2.

Assuming both Dekker and Harrell will make the team by default, if the Rockets will keep Williams, that means only 2 can go down there.

If that's the case, most likely Dekker will be staying with the Rockets most of the season and that will not be a surprise or issue.

The Rockets carried Papa within the team and never send him down also last year, there is no reason to believe Dekker can be worse than that.

Hey, if any of these 3 guys will play much better in the training camp, that guy could stay with the team instead of going down also.

 

I thought rebounding might be his only skillset that translated to the NBA.

Seems like perhaps not.

Has a knack for scoring that you knew about in college, but thought the size would hurt at the next level.

If he can either (1) defend reasonably well, and/or (2) be an occasional ballhandler, then he is lock not only for the roster, but also for regular playing time.

Time will tell.

 

His best skill is post offense. I don't see him being able to showcase that even if he makes the team - if we are running the offense through Alvin Williams something has gone horribly wrong with the season.

He makes up for lack of height by using his body to make contact to create room. I would like to see him accomplish that against legitimate NBA size and length.

Honestly I think his best bet would be to sign on with a really bad team with no post offense where he could bridge a gap. If he makes the Rockets, I don't see him getting the chance to shine.

 

So now do we get excited about summer league play?

 

He seemed like he was able to finish off others creations though. He has a decent FT-extended mid-range shot, and despite a seemingly disadvantage in height and athleticism, was able to score or get to the FT line off of other players drives.

Obviously summer league doesn't mean squat... but at this point as a potential 10-15 mpg backup, the thing that probably holds him back is defense... and there's no telling how he'll do there.

 

The above pretty much nailed it. Williams is a very mature, slightly undersized but very intelligent basketball player. He just has "it", the kind of thing you know when you see but can't really put into words. He should have a very long career, will never be a star, but can play a role in the league for probably the next 10 years. I can't think of a single reason why the Rockets would keep Dorsey over Williams, but I also can't see any reason why they would ever hang on to both of them. Likewise, I see no reason why you would want to sign Chuck Hayes with Williams as an available option either. He was clearly the best player I watched at Summer League this year.

 

I watched all summer league games so far. Beginning to end. He sat out one.

He's pretty much automatic with his back to the basket close to the rim. very crafty, He also has a SUPER soft touch with the ball a few feet from goal put backs.. It's like u always know they are going in. He doesn't dunk. can rebound well, but extremely slow on D, can shoot FT good for a big. Haven't saw any range. When he catches the ball he goes straight to the post and goes to work.

 

10-15 mpg at this point is a lots to ask for a guy never got drafted.

But considering Aron Baynes actually got paid 7.5 mil per year in his new contract, I don't think anything wrong to give a shot to this young man.

Baynes has a bigger size but then again, he was never good on offense and people still laughing on how he got murdered by Blake Griffin in the playoff with those dunks.

Sometimes a good player is not only defined by his height or how fast he run or how high he can jump.

I just see more in Williams than most average players that I like.

 

Dejuan Blair

 

Can you post whole article ? I want to see if that kid ndour from Knicks is on there & curry... And who else they think been playing good.

 

Hakeem Olajuwon

 

Don't sell Chuck short:

 

As for Wood,

he got less playing time in this team but overall I have seen some potential and quite a few concerns too.

Physically he is like a boy, standing on 2 very long and thin sticks.

He can't compete in this league right now and its either his knowledge of the game or his efforts on the floor is very poor, in some situation, you just shake your head on his plays.

He has a long way to go. Ideally I hope he can sign with the Vipers and we can give him some chances to grow and see more.

Otherwise I don't see him getting a spot here.