Suns center Alan Williams continues to put up big numbers every chance he gets
Feb 26, 2017, 4:26 PM | Updated: Feb 27, 2017, 11:31 am
Milwaukee Bucks' Greg Monroe falls while driving against the Phoenix Suns' Alan Williams (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Alan Williams has been productive everywhere he has gone.
He averaged at least 17 points and 10 rebounds per game in his final three seasons in college, earned All-NBA Summer League Second Team honors in his first NBA look and then went on to average 20.8 points and a league-leading 15.4 rebounds per game for the Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Now, after three separate stops in his basketball journey, it appears he’s found his home.
The 24-year-old undrafted big man out of UC Santa Barbara has caught on as a fan favorite with his wonderful “Big Sauce” nickname and being extremely animated on the bench since signing with the team late last season, but now he’s getting attention for his play.
In two different instances this season, Williams had a major impact off the bench when either Alex Len or Tyson Chandler were not playing.
In a new direction after the trade deadline, head coach Earl Watson has switched up the rotations.
Brandon Knight and Tyson Chandler have not played in both games and in their place have been Tyler Ulis and Williams.
As you would guess by now, Williams has made the most of the opportunity. He’s had 16 and 17-point outings in the two games, having his best performance of the season in the second game, a 100-96 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
His activity breaks any sort of gauge for a player’s motor, and being a tremendous rebounder with fantastic touch within 10 feet of the rim makes it hard to believe his production would come to a halt.
Big Sauce, Alan Williams, already with 12 points and seven rebounds this afternoon.
Stream here: https://t.co/PYdatycNxJ pic.twitter.com/gbVD9hLPhz
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) February 26, 2017
Listed at 6-foot-8 with a lack of quickness and range to play anywhere but center and no length to make up for any of that as a rim protector on defense, Williams is still making it work.
He possesses good instincts on both ends of the court, including as a shot-blocker, where he can make up for his lack of athleticism.
Alan Williams was ready for Thon Maker 💪 pic.twitter.com/KJBuBwe3Ex
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 26, 2017
There are limitations, though, and that also showed.
The Bucks came into the second quarter with a clear plan of attacking Williams, using a combination of post touches for backup center Greg Monroe and aggressive drives to the basket.
Milwaukee went on a 15-4 run, with Monroe having a few easy buckets right at the rim and the Bucks picking up plenty of points in the paint.
As always, however, Williams’ activity never stopped.
He had 15 points and nine rebounds in the first half and finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds in the game, proving once again that he will always take advantage when he’s given a chance to produce.
