Lou Williams career year earned him the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award, it was announced at the NBA’s annual awards show. The 31-year-old Clippers guard easily beat out the other finalists, the Rockets’ Eric Gordon and the Raptors’ Fred VanVleet.
Williams had always provided instant offense off the bench during his career but he turned it a couple of notches this past season. He easily surpassed his previous scoring standards by averaging 22.6 PPG while dishing out 5.3 APG, another career best. Williams shot 43.5% from the field and 35.9% on 3-point attempts in 79 games in 19 career starts.
Williams scored 30 or more points in 17 games and blew up for a career-best 50 points against the Warriors on January 10th. Gordon won the award in 2017 while Williams was one of the finalists.
It was great to see Eric Gordon stay healthy this year. He shot lights out against the Warriors and really looked incredible. Long 3-pointers and getting to the basket 4 layups. He’s an amazing player. I’ve always liked him with the Clips, but he always got hurt cuz he just plays so reckless and strong. Might be one of the best 6-3 off guards in the history of the game. Maybe top 8 all time? Modern era. Shooting guards are 6-4, 6-5 and up now, so it would be interesting to put a list together of all-time great shooting guards 6ft 3 and under. Not guys like Lou Williams or Vinnie the microwave Johnson who came off the bench shooting at 6 foot 2. I mean guys that were starting shooting guards and six three and under. I remember Andrew Toney so there’s one
Two of my favorite alltime teams are the ’72 & ’73 finalists, Knicks & Lakers. Frazier & West were both taller than the 2Gs, Gail Goodrich & Earl Monroe. They split the titles.
That one they got it right, Lou had an incredible season, his numbers are awesome for a bench guy. Gordon was good too, but way behind. By the way does anyone know why Vanvleet was a finalist, I have no idea. SMH