Pacers 1st Round Draft Possiblities: Elliot Williams

by Ian Levy on Jun 21, 2010 7:04 PM EDT in 2010 Draft Prospects

Now that the NBA Draft Lottery is out of the way, it's time to start profiling the Pacers possibilities for 1st Round picks. The profiles will follow the same format as my 2nd Rounders, with a little bit more detail.

The Pacers received the 10th pick in the Lottery, but several possibilities for trading down and/or acquiring multiple picks have been floating around. For that reason I'm going to examine anyone who might help the Pacers, and then discuss within the profile any steps which might need to be taken to acquire that player.

We have just over a month until the draft, so I'll try to get a profile out every day or two. Here's who we'll be looking at today:

Elliot Williams - PG/SG - 6' 4" 175lbs. - University of Memphis

**Ten Important Stats - Elliot Williams**
Pts/40	Reb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	eFG%	3PT%	FT%	FT/40	PPR	TO/Pos
21.5	4.8	4.5	1.6	54.0	36.6%	75.8%	9.0	-1.37	0.19

Strengths -

At 6'4" with a wide wingspan, Williams has the size and length to spend time at either guard spot. He also has great speed and quickness which help him at both ends of the floor.
In addition to the physical tools, Williams has the skills of a true combo guard. At the college level he was quite capable scoring for himself or using his dribble to create shots for his teammates. He showed a consistent jump-shot last year and is terrific getting to the rim. He draws a very high number of fouls and converts at an excellent rate.
He has the physical tools and energy level to be an excellent defender.

Weaknesses -

Jonathan Givony does a great job of pointing this out in his Draftexpress profile, but over the course of the season defenses were able to make some adjustments and make things difficult for Williams. Williams is almost completely reliant on his left hand when penetrating. Once teams figured this out, it was much easier to keep Williams out of the lane or force him into difficult shots. If he's going to be effective at the next level he will have to develop his off-hand, both from a ball handling standpoint and a finishing standpoint.
Williams was the primary ball-handler for Memphis last season. As he adjusts to a new role in the NBA he needs to work on off the ball movement, and repetitions with his spot up jumper.
Williams has some potential at the point guard position, but has a lot of development left to do before he maximizes his skills in this area. At Memphis most of his assists either came in transition or on simple drive and kicks. He did not spend much time running pick and rolls or creating shots in other offensive sets. He will need to catch his Basketball IQ up with his quickness and athleticism.
Williams' lack of strength hurts him occasionally at the defensive end. This weakness should only be magnified against bigger, stronger NBA guards. In addition, he could work on refining his footwork and fundamentals on the defensive end.

How he can help the Pacers -

The Pacers can use depth in the backcourt. While he has a lot to learn, he has the ability to spend minutes at both backcourt positions. Long-term he could pair very well with A.J. Price in the second unit. Williams can guard the shooting guard but act as the primary ball-handler. This would allow him to maximize his offensive effectiveness, while Price would work off-the-ball looking for openings to use his jumpshot. While he has a lot of development left to go through he is talented, athletic and versatile, three things which have been missing from recent Pacer rosters.
He is projected to go in the late 20s and could be an excellent target if the Pacers trade down to acquire multiple picks.

Video -

Sorry, I couldn't find any interview footage, or worthwhile highlight video for Elliot Williams.

More Information -

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Comments

He could be a sleeper in this draft.

by gut19 on Jun 21, 2010 7:09 PM EDT reply actions

First time even seeing his name.

by infinityzero.systemerror on Jun 21, 2010 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

As a Memphis alum who has watched him plenty let me tell you

Williams will absolutely 100% GUARANTEED be an NBA contributor for 10 years.

Local scuttlebutt is that he has a guarantee from San Antonio at 20. Because of this he has claimed injury and stopped working out for other teams.

He had to carry the scoring load this year in Memphis after starting at PG at Duke as a freshman. He got a hardship transfer (instant Playing time) because his mother has cancer.

Great makeup. Comes from a two parent home. Was the 16th overall prospect according to rivals 2 years ago.

Had to score in Memphis last year because we literally only had 6 scholarship players on the roster (after John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Xavier Henry, Darnell Dobson all got out of written LOI’s when John Calipari proved to everyone what a filthy rotten cocksucker he really is, but I digress)

Trust me when I say it, he was 95% as impressive as Derrick Rose was. Only he had no supporting cast.

It was less that defenses figured him out, and more that he was the only scoring option on the roster. 54% shooting from a combo guard facing constant double teams speaks to how impressive he is.

If the pacers could trade down to 16ish range, they would get a steal with this kid. He is probably worth the 10 as is. I would just like to see us maximize the value of the hand they have.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jun 21, 2010 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

So, he's a project.

But he could be really good. He’s got all the measurable stuff you want. Certainly more attractive than Eric Bledsoe to me, I suppose I wouldn’t hate trading down and getting this guy. Of course, that’s just going off what I read here.

by infinityzero.systemerror on Jun 21, 2010 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

Think of him as a bigger, better shooting Jarryd Bayless

He absolutely has that kind of 1st step quickness.

His 1st step is probably better than Derrick Rose’s first step.

This kid can get his own shot at any point. Something that no player on the Pacers roster has really been able to do since Jalen Rose or to a lesser extent Stephen Jackson.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jun 21, 2010 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

Stephen Jackson created his own shot...

Because he was like John Stark.
“Hey, I’m covered by my defender. I’m gonna jack up a three”
I think his mantra was something like that. Didn’t like him then and don’t like him now

by infinityzero.systemerror on Jun 21, 2010 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

He wasn't Kobe or Penny Hardaway in his Prime

But SJax could take a guy off the dribble and get to the rim a little.

Mostly we have witnessed guys like Reggie or Danny Granger who rely more on ball movement and screens to get jump shots.

Awfully tough to win with a roster of nothing but jump shooters. After 5 years of it you would think Larry would notice.

Unfortunately Larry was a jump shooter and this is his vanity project. So look for Gordon Hayward or Luke Babbit to be the pick.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jun 21, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

The spam from Netetrader4

Is actually pretty awesome. I suggest taking a look at that kick ass Winnie the Pooh graphic made completely out of keystrokes before it gets taken down.

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.

by LukeNukem on Jun 21, 2010 8:51 PM EDT reply actions