30 minutes 6 rebounds 4 fouls 0 blocks 13 points on 12 shots. This was Willie's stat line last night. Not good. Those same 30 minutes go to spark plug LaVarr Sampson and he gets you 10 plus rebounds and scores and defends more efficiently (less fouls, more perimeter D). Then maybe the game is not so tight in the 4th against a bad opponent missing its best player.
The contrast between Willie to Sampson back to Willie was stark with regard to activity and energy level and fighting for the spot in the paint.
Sampson has infectious energy. Willie is not locked in like a champion nor does he play with contagious spirit. It is like he showed up at the YMCA to get some run and pass some time on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Willie is frustrating because he does not finish plays like he should nor do his work early. He does not play through the contact. He does not relish the dirty work it takes to be great.
I am happy with Willie as a back-up and love the lob chemistry he has developed with teammates and I do credit him for stroking the J with more smoothness but the Kings are delusional if they think he can ever be a high quality starter in this league. After years of projection and analysis the conclusion is simple: he's not good enough.
Every time you think Willie has turned a corner he loops back around into a circle. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice, er, ten times well....