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Expect Derrick Williams To Have A Significant Impact In The NBA Finals

By Quenton S. Albertie

Feb 11, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Derrick Williams (3) reacts after a dunk during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Derrick Williams (3) reacts after a dunk during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have another x-factor in their anticipated NBA Finals rematch with the Golden State Warriors. Derrick Williams.

According to Joe Vardon of cleveland.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers expect Derrick Williams to have a significant impact in a rematch against the Golden State Warriors. The franchise believes those contributions may be unsung, and with the way the fans and media look at what makes a player valuable today, that could very well be true.

Williams probably won’t show flashes of being an elite scorer or any elite skill that makes people feel he’s worthy of his draft position but what Williams will do is help one elite team beat an even more elite team with effort, efficiency and energy. With defensive versatility.

When Williams is on the court, it isn’t as if the Cleveland Cavaliers are magically transformed into the NBA’s best defense the same way they transformed when DeAndre Liggins was inserted into the starting lineup.

In fact, Liggins played so well defensively there were quite a few pieces written about how him. One that stood out in particular was written by Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer. An article that explored the possibility that Liggins will be an x-factor for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors as well. It’s possible that the Cleveland Cavaliers will actually play both Williams and Liggins at the same time if they need a defensive stop.

What Williams does defensively that’s similar to Liggins is approach his matchup like his career and his livelihood depends on stopping the other player from scoring. Williams, like Liggins, also is constantly looking around the court to scout for an errant pass, a missed rotation or perimeter penetration from elsewhere.

What Williams does defensively that’s different from Liggins is guard every player on the floor with nearly the same amount of effectiveness. Of course, he’s at a physical disadvantage against centers but even against the behemoths of the league, Williams has been successful. Against Draymond Green, who is 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Williams shouldn’t have a problem.

“D-Thrill” is 6-foot-8, 240 pounds and athletic. His ability to guard Green in the post will allow the Cleveland Cavaliers to put LeBron James on Kevin Durant. The Cavs have put Kyrie Irving on Andre Iguodala in recent matchups and it’s a trend that should continue so that the Cavs can allow the bigger and (in most cases) more athletic players guard Stephen Curry. Players like Liggins, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith.

The thing is, Williams can guard Curry too. Iguodala as well. Even Durant or Klay Thompson. That’s his real value. When he’s on the court, he can guard anybody he needs to guard for the team to maximize their defensive potential.

Some statistics aren’t kind to Williams, as his defensive box plus/minus is a -2.3 but because that’s a stat that takes into account, well, box score stats that makes sense. Williams is averaging 0.3 steals and 0.0 blocks per game while playing 22.8 minutes per game.

Nonetheless, when Williams is off-the-court the opposing team’s offensive rating rises from 108.0 to 109.1 while their effective field goal percentage (a statistic that factors in the value of three-point attempts) raises from 47.0 percent to 51.5 percent.

Even without statistics, Williams fans should be able to see Williams’ defensive impact with just their eyes.

His on-ball defense is aggressive, he’s quick, he’s alert and he can switch onto any position. He’ll take your guards out of the game. Your forwards out of the game. Against the Indiana Pacers, even Al Jefferson couldn’t take advantage of Williams in the post. Jefferson is 6-foot-10 and 289 pounds.

The Golden State Warriors start games with a traditional frontcourt and Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson’s value isn’t necessarily diminished in a NBA Finals rematch. That’s especially true considering that both players are elite rebounders while Thompson is an incredibly versatile defender.

Nonetheless, when the Warriors go to their “Death Lineup”, it will be Williams or Thompson guarding Green at center. Love’s best time to be on the court will be when Zaza Pachulia, who only plays 18.8 minutes per game, is at center.

Williams will be a tremendous asset in the NBA Finals should the Cavs reach that point. His versatility is key and though his contributions may not be what some fans believe worthy of a second overall pick, they will help the Cleveland Cavaliers raise a second Larry O’Brien trophy.

Related Story: Creating A 'Death Lineup' For The Cleveland Cavaliers

Do you think that Derrick Williams will be an x-factor against the Golden State Warriors? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.