Lou Williams Is The X-Factor For The Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have emerged as one of the top teams in the NBA, and Lou Williams has been a key component to their sudden improvement

Lou Williams was an absolute steal after the Toronto Raptors only had to give up John Salmons in order to bring him to Canada. Now, with their 12-2 record, the Raptors are three wins clear of anyone else in the Eastern Conference. They’ve displayed equal ability on offense and defense, they have a core of young talent, and a bench that finally has the depth they need to take a shot at the Conference Finals. And Williams has been the key to their improvement.

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The Raptors backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan is one of the most dynamic in the league, and accounts for a large part of the teams offensive output (a combined 40.6 points per game last year). Other than Terrance Ross and, to an extent, Greivis Vasquez, the Raptors didn’t have a lot of firepower coming off their bench last year. But now, Williams has arrived.

The 6’2″ shooting guard has just won Eastern Conference Player of the Week, after coming off a seven day stretch averaging 23.6 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the floor and a smoking 52 percent from three-point range. All that in just over 20 minutes per game.

In Williams’ coming-out week as a Raptor, he had a career high 36 points, while torching the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 110-93 blowout victory on the road. Williams was instrumental in his team’s 3-0 record for the week, which is exactly the kind of impact the Raptors need to launch them into a deep playoff run.

Nov 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) celebrates with guard

Louis Williams

(23) after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-93 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

After their first 14 games, the Raptors look relatively unmatched as the top dog in the East. The Washington Wizards aren’t too far behind, but the Chicago Bulls are still struggling with Derrick Rose‘s nagging injuries, the Miami Heat have cooled down after their surprising start, and we all know about the woes of Cleveland.

Oct 17, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams (23) brings the ball up court against Oklahoma City Thunder guard

Sebastian Telfair

(31) during the fourth quarter at Intrust Bank Arena. Toronto won 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

By no means am I saying Williams is the reason for the Raptors’ success, they have a plethora of talented players who give as much effort as anyone. The reason Williams is so important though, is because he’s been the spark-plug that has lifted them to the next level.

Their big trio of Lowry, DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas have all been playing at the top of their games this season. Valanciunas, in-particular, has elevated his game from a year ago, and has increased his field goal percentage (59%), scoring output (12.3 points per game) and shot blocking (1.3 per game) despite playing a few less minutes.

We know the other two can score in a multitude of ways, but Valanciunas showed exactly how strong his inside game is after making 10-of-11 shots to record a 27-point, 11 rebound performance against the Phoenix Suns.

Ross is a great player in terms of providing energy, shooting (making two 3’s a game with 42 percent accuracy) and sheer athleticism to give his team a boost. Vasquez adds a perimeter shot off the bench, and Patrick Patterson is a solid big man in the rotation, but their overall bench production has previously been relatively limited.

Williams, on the other hand, has made an instant impact. If you want to see for yourself then click here to see all his crossovers, pull-ups, and off-dribble jumpers against the Cavs.

Nov 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Louis Williams (23) goes to make a basket against the Phoenix Suns at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Phoenix 104-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

He seems to be setting a new season-high every week and is averaging 13.6 points a game, while making 44 percent of his shots and 39 percent from deep. Despite not even averaging 20 minutes a game this season (19.8), he’s been having one of the best seasons of his career so far. His scoring average per 36 minutes is at a red-hot 24.8 points right now, which is at least four more than any other season of his 10 year career.

To sum up his importance to this team: the Raptors’ +/- per 100 possessions is an exceptional +21.9 when Williams is on the floor. In comparison to Ross’ +/- of +10.8 (who’s their other best wing player outside of Lowry and DeRozan), so it’s pretty clear that Williams has been making a serious difference.

Now that the Raptors have a little more depth, and the extra scorer they need, they are emerging as current favourites to win the entire Conference. There’s no doubt that this team is better than last year, and a crucial part of that is the excellent play of Lou Williams.

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