I've been pushing for Sioux Falls Skyforce wingman Reggie Williams to get a call-up to the Golden State Warriors all season (and not just because we're both left-handed). It seems they're finally going to take my request to heart.
Warriors planning to call-up Reggie Williams from the D-League when they get to Miami. League gives Warriors another exemption. Williams won't play tonight as he is expecting to sign a 10-day on Tuesday. Warriors tie a league record with their fifth D-League call-up.
Here's what I can tell you about Williams: He's the most efficient scorer in the D-League (His offense ranks in the 98th percentile according to Synergy) and his defense is not nearly as terrible as everyone is going to tell you (though it isn't great, either). On the season, Williams is averaging 26.4 points and 5.5 boards while shooting 58% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. According to our most recent call-up rankings, Williams was the best available player in the D-League, following the call-up of Mike Harris to the Washington Wizards and the decision of Carlos Powell to head to China.
In Williams' most recent game, a win Saturday against the Iowa Energy, he had 34 points, six boards and two steals while matched-up with former Warrior Cartier Martin and one of the best wing defenders in the D-League, Othyus Jeffers. In my recap, I noted "This is why I think he should be in the NBA."
Williams will join fellow Warriors D-League call-ups Anthony Tolliver (had a great game last night), Chris Hunter and C.J. Watson on active duty. Kelenna Azubuike, who is out for the season, was also a D-League call-up. I can't help but wonder if the addition of former D-League coach Scott Roth has helped the Warriors interest in the D-League.
Essentially, I've been calling for this call-up for exactly two months. The Warriors ultimately chose Cartier Martin, but in my breakdown of available prospects on December 28th, I handicapped Williams as my favorite:
Reggie Williams (6'6, 210 - 26.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 60% FG, 47% 3pt) - Williams is my favorite player to watch from this selection, and thus, my favorite for the Golden State Warriors call-up. He led the nation in scoring twice while playing at VMI and is second only to Almond in the D-League thus far this season. He's not just a scorer, however. Williams isn't exceptional at anything, but he really seems to get it - he does whatever it takes and plays within his limitations, which is actually a compliment. Offensively, his jump shot has improved immensely, which, not surprisingly is why he's shooting 60% from the field. He also gets out and runs very well, which would fit perfectly in Golden State. Defensively, he's not exceptionally quick, but he's long enough and crafty enough that he's not going to kill a team defensively.
Since then, I've continually sang his praises. He's a write-up for AOL Fanhouse after I focused on him at the D-League Showcase in early January:
Williams, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound wing, has been one of the best scorer's in the D-League this season (24.7 ppg, 58% FG), harking back to the days when he led the NCAA in scoring (top scorer in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons) while playing at Virginia Military Academy. However, here at the Showcase, the scouts aren't looking for scorers but all-around players that can come in and contribute everywhere.
At the Showcase he played pretty solid defense on former NBAer Billy Thomas and put the ball in the bucket. Plus, he showed a good bit of athleticism, something else that had been a knock on his NBA prospects.
More links:
Here's some feedback from Williams on what he saw as things he needed to do to get an NBA call-up.
I also lamented that he get called-up to the Warriors over Coby Karl, though Karl did a decent enough job while with the W's.
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