Could T.J. Williams be the point guard the Cleveland Cavaliers were looking for?
T.J. Williams may be the Cleveland Cavaliers answer at backup point guard. Let me preface this by saying that Kay Felder has played a solid game throughout the Summer League. However, Williams has the better size and feel for the NBA at this point.
Where Felder is 5-foot-9, a height that results in obvious issues on the defensive end, Williams is 6-foot-3. Felder weighs 176 pounds while Williams weighs 205 pounds. Williams is built with muscle and his frame allows him to be better at absorbing contract and obstructing driving and passing lanes on defense.
Williams is capable of reading the defense and jumping the passing lanes as well. Felder, though proving himself capable of playing solid off-ball defense, has had consistent issues in containing his man on the perimeter.
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Offensively, Williams doesn’t force the issue and that’s probably the biggest difference between he and Felder on the court. Williams will use screens to get as far as he can to the rim and he’s able to knock down the midrange shot consistently if he can’t get to the rim. This is where Felder will force a tough jumper or circus shot around the rim.
Felder is certainly more explosive in terms of his athleticism, and he’s been able to play a heady game, he fails to keep his teammates involved at times. This is more so due to his confidence in his scoring ability rather than a glaring hole in his offensive awareness but nonetheless, the Cavs’ offense will thrive on execution. Particularly, in the second unit. Felder likes to score and he’s not shy about shooting at all. He’ll attack and attack, from all three levels, even if he’s missing.
It’s true that the second unit needs a player who can create shots for himself but Williams has been able to do that as well; and much more efficient in doing so. Through two games, Felder is 7-29 from the field (24.1 percent) and 1-9 from three-point range (11.1 percent). Williams is 9-12 (75.0 percent) from the field and 1-1 (100.0 percent) from three-point range after two games.
Felder, though more sensational, simply doesn’t look as NBA-ready as Williams. That could change. However, as the pro-style prospect, Williams should get a long look from the Cavs brass.
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