MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers argues with Lou Williams #23 against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The LA Clippers‘ bitterly disappointing playoff run isn’t sparing anyone from criticism or from getting the ax. Firstly long-serving coach Doc Rivers was relieved of his duties. Then their players came under the radar for failing to gel together as a unit. ‘NBA Sixth Man of the Year’ Montrezl Harrell was let go by the front office and signed for their cross-town rivals, the LA Lakers. Now it’s time for his friend and fellow bench specialist Lou Williams to face the music.
Most people in the NBA circle do not take Skip’s opinion seriously. The man is a notorious LeBron hater who regularly comes out with outrageous claims. However, his analysis of Lou Williams is on point. Critical of him for his uninspiring play in the bubble, he said –
“To Chris’ point, it was a clash of old guard versus new guard, but the new guard is way more talented than the old guard. So Lou Williams has seen his best days in this league and I love him. I used to really love him but he has become, in their eyes, expendable. Because he didn’t want to be in the bubble and played like it last year.
In the playoff run, he shot 24% from three and he was driving me out of my mind. Because he was looking lifeless, he looked like he was not buying into whatever the new Clippers were selling.”
The 34-year guard clearly did not live up to his high regular-season standards in Orlando. However, what attracted more negative attention wasn’t his poor form but him breaking the strict protocols of the bio-bubble. As a team that can affect your morale and garners negative publicity. Skip said, “He had lemon pepper sauce. We know about the Magic City incident, and I think that was the beginning of the end of Lou Williams at Clippers.”
A 3-time winner of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, he has scored most points off the bench in NBA history. Even though he is 34, his trade value is still high. Clippers would at least want a player of Derrick Rose or Terry Rozier’s caliber in return for him. The Pistons guard is proving him to be a game-changing player off the bench this season.
Whatever will be the outcome of the trade, we can definitely say that we won’t see Lou in a Clippers’ jersey again. His sweet time in LA is drawing to a close on a bitter note.
Get notified about breaking news and watch highlights on the go; join the Arena on NBA Hoops