OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 19: Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends Damian ... [+] Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center on December 19, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThis time last year, Jalen Williams was projected to be a late second-round pick, or even undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. Following a strong close to his junior season and a fantastic pre-draft process, he skyrocketed up boards and landed in the lottery at No. 12 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Just over six months later, it already appears that he should have been taken even higher than that. A lot will change in the coming years, but as of today an argument could be made that Williams should have been a top five selection.
The offensive production of the Thunder rookie has been loud through the first half of the season, as he’s been one of the best in his class on that end of the floor. He’s sixth among all rookies in scoring with 11.7 points per game, fourth in assists with 2.9 per contest and third among rookie guards in rebounds with 3.9 per game. He’s shooting better than 50% from the floor, making him the only rookie shooting above that clip that’s also top ten in scoring.
As good as his offensive game has been, Williams’ improved defense of late is really what’s made the difference for the surging Thunder, who are just one game below .500 and one of the hottest teams in the league since the turn of the calendar year.
Williams has produced 38 steals and 21 blocks, which is good for fifth and seventh among all rookies respectively. The blocks are the most among any guard in this class.
He’s produced 10 multi-steal games, including three with at least four takeaways and one with five. He’s also notched 17 games with a block, including three multi-block games. What’s more impressive is that he’s only played in 40 games to this point in the season, meaning he’s notched at least two steals in a quarter of his contests and at least one block in nearly half.
Among rookies that play at least 15 minutes per night and have taken the floor in 20 games, Williams is eighth among all rookies in individual defensive rating. Using that same criteria, he’s top ten in both steal and block percentage, as well as top three in defensive win shares.
To some, the defensive upside is surprising. With that in mind, we should have seen this coming. As a freshman at Santa Clara, defense is what initially got him on the floor.
Now a seemingly permanent starter, the 21-year-old is thriving on both ends of the floor. Leveraging his 7-foot-2 wingspan, Williams is able to play upwards of four positions which has proven extremely valuable to this unique, switchable Thunder team.
He’s started in 18-straight games, with Oklahoma City going 10-8 over that span, good for the 11th best record in the NBA during that time. Over these 18 contests, he’s been a huge reason the Thunder have been successful, producing 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per contest.
On many nights over the past few weeks, Williams has been OKC’s second or third best player, playing well beyond his years. While he continues to build his NBA All-Rookie resume, the defense has been equally impressive as the offense.
Nick Crain, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2023/01/18/defensive-upside-jalen-williams-two-way-impact-sparks-thunders-recent-success/
By: Nick Crain, Contributor
Title: Defensive Upside: Jalen Williams’ Two-Way Impact Sparks Thunder’s Recent Success
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2023/01/18/defensive-upside-jalen-williams-two-way-impact-sparks-thunders-recent-success/
Published Date: 01-18-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a NBA ref earn?
Referees for the National Basketball Association (NBA), are paid competitive salaries to perform their officiating duties. An average NBA referee makes between $150,000 to $550,000 annually. The salary range is affected by referee experience. Referees with more experience earn higher salaries. Refs who work in the playoffs or Finals earn even higher salaries than referees who take on additional roles, such as training new refs or working in the video review center. Many NBA refs are also paid royalty and endorsement fees for their work in broadcasts and other media outlets. Overall, being a NBA referee could be a highly lucrative job that can generate steady income for those who are willing to do the hard work.
Referees of the NBA receive a salary and also have access to health insurance, retirement plans, as well as other benefits. Referees are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make critical calls that can affect a game's outcome. Refs also often receive subsidized accommodations, meals, and travel to away games. This can provide additional peace of mind as referees work in pursuit of perfection on the court.
NBA referees are paid a fair salary for their hard work. While it can be exhausting, the job offers referees a rewarding opportunity to make an impact on basketball.
What is the greatest NBA Dynasty ever?
That is a hotly debated topic that has been discussed for decades. The "showtime Lakers of 1980-1989" held the league's crown for almost a decade and won five championships. They were led by Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, Kareem A Abdul-Jabbar, and Kareem Abdul–Jabbar. During this time, the Lakers had stars like James Worthy and Byron Scott. Kurt Rambis was also in their lineup.
From 200 to 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers, later called the Shaw and Kobe Lakers became a force to reckon with. Defended by the dynamic duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant - both Hall of Famers - they won three championships in a row from 2000 to 2002.
The Chicago Bulls of 1990 were also a dominant force in their time. They won six championships under Phil Jackson, the legendary head coach. Michael Jordan is widely regarded as being the greatest player of all-time. The Chico Bulls (1995-1996) are one of the most famous teams in NBA History. They won three consecutive NBA championships and had a record 72 wins. In 2015-2016, the Bulls' regular season record of 72-10 was broken by the Golden State Warriors.
The Boston Celtics of the 1960s are perhaps the most famed dynasty in the history of the NBA, winning eight consecutive championships and 11 titles in 13 years under Hall of Fame head coach Red Auerbach. Led by legendary players such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, and Sam Jones, the Celtics created a winning culture that has been unmatched for decades.
The San Antonio Spurs are a contender for best NBA dynasty. The Spurs have won four championships since 1999 and enjoyed one of the most successful runs in NBA history. They were led by future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, as well as Gregg Popovich who was their head coach. Their basketball approach improved, emphasizing team-first mentality, which made them successful.
The Golden State Warriors are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, with four championships in the last decade. They are led by superstar players Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and head coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors are a thrilling brand of basketball that has delighted fans around the world and is also considered the greatest NBA dynasty.
It's difficult to pick one team that is the greatest NBA Dynasty. Each team had its unique group of players and coaches that made them successful, but some stood out more than others due to their dominance. You could argue that the greatest NBA dynasty was made up of the Bulls, Bulls Bulls, Celtics Spurs, Spurs, and Warriors.
Which rivalry is the largest in the NBA basketball?
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers hold the title of the biggest rivalry in the NBA.
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have met the most out of any teams in the NBA Finals, with 12 times. The Celtics won nine of those meetings. Their first meeting was in 1959, but they both continued to excel in the following years, especially during the 1960s and 1980s, when they would face each other six times and three, respectively. These two teams met twice more in the same time period, even though 2000 was a new millennium.
Statistics
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
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How To
How does the NBA All-Star Game choose its players?
The 24 NBA All-Star Game players are selected by a combination of media, fan and player voting. Fans make up 50 percent of the vote. Media and current players account for 25 percent. Each group's vote counts equally, and all three submit their ballots simultaneously. Each conference chooses its players according to their position: two guards, two forwards, one center. The NBA Commissioner can select a replacement player if a player is hurt or unable. The All-Star Game is where the selected players will compete against each others in a pre-determined game format. The team that accumulates the most points in the four quarters wins will win. Each year, the winning team receives an additional donation to their charity foundation.
The All-Star Game also presents a special award to the most valuable player. As it brings together the best players from both conferences, The All-Star Game has become a very popular event in the NBA. Fans can watch their favorite players play against one another and find out who wins. The All-Star Game also serves as a showcase for some of the most exciting players in the NBA, and it's an event that fans look forward to every year. The NBA All-Star Game, with its unique selection procedure, is certain to deliver an amazing show of talent as well as entertainment.
