Sixteen games in, the Charlotte Hornets are tied for the 3rd worst record in the Eastern Conference at 5-11. This start should be no surprise, considering all things considered. With all the distractions (Kai Jones, Miles Bridges,) Mark Williams has been a pleasant surprise. Mark Williams probably wouldn’t have started in this league several years ago when you consider how teams built their rosters. With the newfound love for the big man back, Williams has thrived this season with his play, and he should continue to thrive.
The Buildup.
Coming into the NBA in 2022, Williams was seen as a physical specimen. At 7’2”, 242 pounds, His 9-foot-9 standing reach is one of the largest ever recorded at the combine. Big men rarely have touch at the NBA level, with very few shooting above 75%. Williams shot 75% in college from the foul line. Combined with his 72% shooting from the floor, Williams was the perfect rim runner for the Duke Blue Devils. Williams was an intriguing prospect who could develop with the right system and coaching.
Williams over Duren
Coming into the 2022 draft, Williams was seen by many as the third-best center on the board (Holmgren & Duren.) Holmgren was the 7’1” center with not only the offensive skills of a guard but also elite defensive abilities. His slam slender didn’t worry teams too much, considering his age and the staff you have for these types of situations. Jalen Duren is a 6’10, 250-pound big man who is also a great athlete and had the physical attributes to play in the NBA as a rookie. Charlotte initially drafted Duren with the 13th pick but traded that pick to the Knicks, who then sold the rights to the Pistons. Williams ultimately ended up in Charlotte. You could argue who should’ve been the next center off the board between the two, as both are currently averaging double-doubles.
Thriving Early.
It’s pretty easy to jump off the rail when you’re a young team and not a good team. Mark came from a tradition of winning to a squad and was seen as that missing piece to a team that finished 43-39 the previous season. Williams started in the G-League with the Greensboro Storm, sharpening his game and adjusting to the speed of pro basketball. Williams played 25 games before the team parted with veteran Mason Plumlee, averaging 7.0 PPG, 5.2 REB, and 1.0 BLKS while shooting 64% from the field and 73% from the line. When Mason Plumlee was traded to the Clippers during the trade deadline, Williams took over the starting center role and averaged 11.7 PPG, 9.7 REB, and 1.1 BLKS while shooting 62% from the field and 64% from the line. In his first start of the season, Williams had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and two weeks later, he followed that up with a career-high of 18 points and 20 rebounds. Williams’s strong end to the season earned him some votes for the NBA all-rookie team, but he wasn’t selected for either first or second. That solid end to the season made him a guy to build around going forward.
Foundational Piece
With the Michael Jordan era as Majority owner over in Buzz City, The Hornets can focus solely on the development of the young players. LaMelo Ball is the guy for Charlotte. After a slow start early in the year, Ball is averaging 24.2 PPG, 8.2 ASTS, and 5.5 REBS. You need guys who can match his energy and provide plays that will get the fans out of their seats when you have a showtime player like that. With his athletic abilities around the rim and his potential to be a great rim protector, Williams has cemented himself as a foundational piece along with Melo & this year’s 2nd overall pick, Brandon Miller. In the November 10th game against the Wizards, Williams scored 21 points and grabbed 24 rebounds, 15 being offensive. Watching him play reminds me so much of Andre Drummond, which could be excellent for Charlotte, considering how his career has turned out.
All-Star Abilities.
During his eight years with the Detroit Pistons, Andre Drummond was a beast on the boards. His four rebounding titles put him on a list only Mutombo, Olajuwon, Ben Wallace, Elvin Hayes, and DeAndre Jordan share, and that’s winning the rebounding title multiple times. Drummond also was selected to be an all-star two times during his career. Where the Pistons failed Andre, I don’t think the Hornets will fall Mark Williams. The Pistons wanted to make Andre Drummond a #1 option, but he didn’t have that skill set.
Drummonds’s skillset was rim running and rebounding the ball. The lack of having that valid scoring option in Detroit failed Drummond, and making him that primary guy ultimately led him to be traded to Cleveland. In Charlotte, LaMelo will be the guy who will get buckets, and if he’s having an off night, Brandon Miller will be that guy. If Charlotte stays on the path of letting Mark do what he does best and let his game continue to grow, He will be the next Andre Drummond (Before all the other teams.) Please do not fall into the trap Detroit fell into and try to make him a guy you look to be your #1 option.
In Closing
The NBA is a hit-or-miss league when it comes to big men. You may hit on some; you may miss out on others. The most important thing to understand about the league today is you have to have a skillset. You have to bring something to a team that gives confidence in the coaching staff to play you, even if the living room GMs don’t see it. Mark William’s ability to rebound on both ends of the floor and his scoring around the rim will make him a fan favorite for many years. Charlotte may not be a team to talk about now, But if the development continues positively, They will be in the fold.
West Coast Hoops 