Why Terrence Williams Should Win NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year Award

On Saturday night, the Santa Cruz Warriors defeated the Los Angeles D-Fenders for the second straight game to advance to the semi-finals of the D-League playoffs.

Prior to the postseason, Los Angeles selected Santa Cruz as its first round opponent. As one of the division champions in the minor league, the second seeded D-Fenders earned themselves the privilege to do that.

And though the team has seemingly fallen way short of the expected mark, Terrence Williams is largely in part to thank for what his team actually did end up achieving along the way.

Following previous M.V.P. candidate Manny Harris' departure to Turkey, Williams was looked upon as the star of the show while attempting to keep his team afloat towards a promising playoff run. Having averaged 20.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals through 32 contests, it's safe to say the swingman's efforts to do so were respectable. He had a terrific season.

By joining the D-Fenders midseason --- just as the year 2013 came to a close and 2014 began --- Williams instantly qualified himself for the NBADL's "Impact Player" award, given to such a prospect that is able to make his presence felt for his new team the most after joining them in the middle of the season.

The 26 year old's wide variety of skills, coupled with his steadily solid production on the court as the year progressed (in addition to his team's continued success), make him most deserving of such an honor.