<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">DURHAM, N.C. ? Louis Williams wears a headband like Allen Iverson. He's starting to tattoo his arms like Iverson. And Williams seems to care little about the opinions other have of him, just like ? sound familiar? ? Iverson. So it's really no surprise that Williams has his goals set pretty high, especially for an 18-year-old second-round draft pick: He wants Iverson's job. OK, so winning a starting guard spot is a long shot. But the boldness of Williams' words off the court is representative of the way he plays on it, and that's made an early favorable impression with the Philadelphia 76ers. "I'm even going after Allen's spot," Williams said Wednesday. "Really, it is impossible, but that's just the confidence you've got to have." Williams, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard from South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Ga., surely doesn't lack confidence. The Naismith Award winner as the nation's top prep player, Williams spurned the advice of those close to him and the hangers-on who said he needed to play a year or two for the University of Georgia before going pro. Even as he was being projected as a mid- to late-second-round pick, Williams boasted his chances of going in the first round were 85 to 90 percent and that was "just being modest, really." Then his ego ran into a pick. Watching the NBA draft at a local Atlanta sports restaurant, a surprised and teary Williams waited and waited for more than 40 picks, wondering when or if his name was going to be called. After C.J. Miles, another standout prep guard, was picked 34th by Utah, Williams thought his chance was gone. "I lost all hope because no teams that I worked out for had picks after that," Williams said. The Sixers gambled, rolling the dice that at only 18 there was plenty of time to let Williams develop and made him their first high-school draft pick since taking Darryl Dawkins with the fifth overall choice in 1975. "I think he belongs," said Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks, a former All-Star point guard.</div> link:http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/...-williams_x.htm well, it seems that we really got the next AI in the draft. i hope that when AI's time comes, louis will be able to step up and fill in the void.
can the kid score his first points before we start labeling him as the next (enter star player here)?
...Yeah right now he's closer to bust than superstar. I'll keep my opinions about him to myself until he starts making some shots and getting playing time. Still, from what I've heard, he's a high energy player and is good at getting to the rim but just needs to work on his shot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">There will likely never be another AI.</div> Basically what I was gonna say. And Aznx, why a bust? Kinda harsh man, lets wait a while before we say anything.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And Aznx, why a bust? Kinda harsh man, lets wait a while before we say anything.</div> Sorry. . Well, we'll see. I just don't expect much from the kid, but I hope I'll be pleasantly surprised.
I don't understand what your basing your expecatations on. You actually have to give him an opportunity before you label him.
We all really can't label him as ANYTHING ...i'm assuming none of us has actually seen him workout or play ....wait till the season starts and the first game is televised ....THEN TALK...for now...i think this thread is kinda pointless cuz we can't discuss anything based on facts
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">...Yeah right now he's closer to bust than superstar.</div> How could a player selected 45th overall be a bust?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">There will likely never be another AI.</div> Ha. You're funny. That's like how people say there will never be another MJ. (Except they are right when they say that)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Handles:</div><div class="quote_post">Ha. You're funny. That's like how people say there will never be another MJ. (Except they are right when they say that)</div> Although not quite as caustically, I will agree with you here. AI isn't exactly the kind of player that just never comes along. His scoring ability and drive and kick ability, as well as his heart, are what sets him apart, that being said, there will be 10 more like him in the next thirty years, just keep your eyes peeled.
You may see a player with the same characteristics as Allen, but pound for pound I don't think there will ever be a player as unique as him when it comes to his accomplishments on the court. For instance in the next thirty years will there be ten players like AI who will win an MVP award or multiple scoring titles? Until the players that are considered the next AI win MVP awards and such they shouldn't be considered the next AI just because they play similar.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">How could a player selected 45th overall be a bust?</div> the same way the #1 pick can be a bust, just ask Olowokandi
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">You may see a player with the same characteristics as Allen, but pound for pound I don't think there will ever be a player as unique as him when it comes to his accomplishments on the court. For instance in the next thirty years will there be ten players like AI who will win an MVP award or multiple scoring titles? Until the players that are considered the next AI win MVP awards and such they shouldn't be considered the next AI just because they play similar.</div> Fair enough, and I guess the math doesn't really work out on my prediction huh? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AIFan: the same way the #1 pick can be a bust, just ask Olowokandi</div> I think he was referring to the fact that a 45th pick doesn't have the same expectations for success as a number one pick. That a 45th can be great or crap, and either way, no one really anticipates it, thusly making the title 'bust' kind of impossible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AIFan:</div><div class="quote_post">the same way the #1 pick can be a bust, just ask Olowokandi</div> I think he was referring to the fact that a 45th pick doesn't have the same expectations for success as a number one pick. That a 45th can be great or crap, and either way, no one really anticipates it, thusly making the title 'bust' kind of impossible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iguodala:</div><div class="quote_post">I hope he gets minutes and proves everyone wrong</div> agreed igoudala,i wanna see Louis Willams play good too.I think he is a good kid and player
I think we all want to see him succeed in the league, but I think we also need to stop trying to put a label on him and his talent level when he's accomplished nothing yet. Let him put up AI type numbers in AI fashion while showing AI type heart and will, then lets talk.
I think the comparisons to Allen Iverson are being drawn mainly from his physical appearance as opposed to his game. Coming into the league Iverson’s reputation preceded him. He was a proven winner, and an overall great player. The questions surrounding his game where non-existent when you compare them to Williams. Right now Louis Williams is just another potential player who was drafted on nothing if not his athletic ability. He had a couple televised games on espn in which he did well, and the casual fan hyped him up as something other than a great high school player. He came into the draft expecting to be a first round pick, but fell to 45th overall. He has the “me against the world” attitude, but that doesn’t necessarily lead to success it simple means you believe in yourself. I honestly do not like his game. To me we would have been better served drafting a guy who we know could make an immediate impact rather than be a project. Especially with the lack of depth on our bench, and the simple fact this is a win now team with Webber and Allen. We can not wait four to five years to see if this guy can become a good NBA player. Well I guess it’s useless to say that now I mean what is done is done of course you can hope he is successful. With the injuries, and lack of talent on our bench he will probably get opportunities this season, and hopefully he will prove me wrong. To me right now to be comparing him to AI who was a proven winner, and first overall pick when he entered the league is going beyond hyping him up and entering the stage of delusion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the comparisons to Allen Iverson are being drawn mainly from his physical appearance as opposed to his game. Coming into the league Iverson?s reputation preceded him. He was a proven winner, and an overall great player. The questions surrounding his game where non-existent when you compare them to Williams. Right now Louis Williams is just another potential player who was drafted on nothing if not his athletic ability. He had a couple televised games on espn in which he did well, and the casual fan hyped him up as something other than a great high school player. He came into the draft expecting to be a first round pick, but fell to 45th overall. He has the ?me against the world? attitude, but that doesn?t necessarily lead to success it simple means you believe in yourself. I honestly do not like his game. To me we would have been better served drafting a guy who we know could make an immediate impact rather than be a project. Especially with the lack of depth on our bench, and the simple fact this is a win now team with Webber and Allen. We can not wait four to five years to see if this guy can become a good NBA player. Well I guess it?s useless to say that now I mean what is done is done of course you can hope he is successful. With the injuries, and lack of talent on our bench he will probably get opportunities this season, and hopefully he will prove me wrong. To me right now to be comparing him to AI who was a proven winner, and first overall pick when he entered the league is going beyond hyping him up and entering the stage of delusion.</div> How often are you going to get a player who can make an imediate impact at the 45th pick though? Go look at the history and think for yourslef but I highly doubt the possible players the 76ers could have picked over Louis with the 45th pick will make an imediate impact this season. So why not pick a project type player? With the 45th pick you really have nothing to loose, thats why you take a player who has potential.
