Brooklyn Nets: Making an All-NBA case for D’Angelo Russell
By Phil Watson
D’Angelo Russell vs. Lou Williams
They’re already engraving Lou Williams’ name on his third Sixth Man of the Year award and his second in a row. With respect to Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets, no reserve has had more impact for his team this season than Sweet Lou.
But does that translate into an All-NBA candidacy for the LA Clippers’ super sub?
Williams just keeps on keepin’ on and is having another standout season at age 32.
Here’s how Williams and D’Angelo Russell of the Nets compare straight-up:
| Player | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | eFG% | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D’Angelo Russell | 74 | 74 | 30.3 | .433 | 7.8 | .362 | .509 | 2.5 | .781 | 3.7 | 7.0 | 1.2 | 20.9 |
| Lou Williams | 69 | 0 | 26.7 | .428 | 4.0 | .355 | .473 | 6.5 | .878 | 3.0 | 5.3 | 0.8 | 20.3 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/27/2019.
| Player | G | MP | PER | TS% | 3PAr | FTr | AST% | USG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D’Angelo Russell | 74 | 2241 | 19.3 | .530 | .418 | .136 | 41.3 | 31.7 |
| Lou Williams | 69 | 1839 | 21.7 | .556 | .257 | .424 | 33.3 | 32.7 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/27/2019.
Russell, through more playing time, is slightly ahead of Williams as a scorer, though the ancillary numbers of effective field goal percentage and 3-point percentage favor Russell.
Williams has a higher True Shooting Percentage and a higher usage rate, with DLo owning the better assist percentage.
But here’s what hurts Williams’ case: As good as he’s been in 2018-19, he was better last season, when he averaged 22.6 points per game (in six more minutes per game) and shot higher percentages across the board (.435/.359/.880 in 2017-18 as compared to .428/.355/.878 this season).
And Williams’ eFG% is at its lowest point since 2011-12, his final season with the Philadelphia 76ers all those years ago.
The Clippers locked up a playoff spot Tuesday night with their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and at 45-30 have far exceeded expectations.
Russell has been the best player for a Brooklyn team that has even further exceeded expectations and has improved by 10 wins already.
Williams has had a great season, but not quite an All-NBA season.