Official Thread: Eric Williams

[admin]

Eric Williams, C
21 years old 6'9" 282 lbs.
Wake Forest, Senior

Check out the complete profile at: Full Profile (http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=17)

[scott0331]

I haven't seen much of Eric. Never paid much attention to him in any of the Wake games I saw, either that or he didn't leave a very lasting impression. He is big...280+. Is he really slow? A banger? Any skill whatsoever? I saw the Lakers had him in for a workout, which I found interesting. I guess they were thinking possible camp invite.

[MikeATL]

I haven't seen much of Eric. Never paid much attention to him in any of the Wake games I saw, either that or he didn't leave a very lasting impression. He is big...280+. Is he really slow? A banger? Any skill whatsoever? I saw the Lakers had him in for a workout, which I found interesting. I guess they were thinking possible camp invite.

The workout in LA did not go well for Williams. He's obviously a big guy but has limited skills. Most likely will not be drafted in either round but could end up overseas.

[Artest93]

I like him for the Kings. Just as a 12th guy. Could end up being ok

[wombat6802]

He's huge (all muscle) and relatively quick for a guy his size. His range is limited to 10 feet tops and he does not have the greatest shot in the world. He finishes well, but often brings the ball to the floor before bringing it to the basket, which is ok in some cases, but often when he does it, he draws defenders instead of losing them. He is a very good rebounder and plays lockdown defense. He is a miserable free-throw shooter. The problem is that he is a smaller Power Forward at best and is not versatile enough to be a standout in the league. He could sneak into the second round, but he probably will be picked out by someone in free agency. He is a very solid player who will get his day in the NBA.

In terms of Wake's NBA prospects, I would rate him 3rd under Justin Gray and Trent Strickland, both of whom possess much more NBA potential than Big E.

[amazinasian147]

He is a very good rebounder and plays lockdown defense.

His defense is pretty good, but I wouldn't consider his defense "lockdown." He used to pick up lots of fouls, but he has gotten much better at avoiding foul trouble.

He's huge (all muscle) and relatively quick for a guy his size
His size is one of the reasons why he was able to score in college, just out-muscled basically all the defenders he was against, including great defenders like Shelden Williams and Cedric Simmons. The 'relatively quick' part I think isn't very accurate; throughout this year and the past years, he has looked a little sluggish to me and often has to go to the bench because he is tired (especially when playing Carolina and their fast-paced offense)

Overall, I think he could become a Udonis Haslem.

BTW, wombat you are a Wake fan but live in NY?

[wombat6802]

I go to school in NY, but live in Winston.

I'd have to disagree with you about his speed. Over the summer before his senior season, E got feedback from NBA officials and worked on his conditioning more than anything else. Last season, while he seemed to backslide in terms of his offense output, his speed and agility improved to the point where he no longer had to come out between games and he was able to stay on the floor for much longer. It is a testament to his game that he was able to offensively dominate Hansborough, Craig Smith, and Williams this year, but it will be much harder to compete in the NBA next year. However, he will be one of the stronger players in the NBA, should he make the league, because as I said before, he is 280 pounds of pure muscle and with his improved speed and agility, is physically ready for the NBA (if only for his height he would be a solid 2nd round prospect).

[point god]

I think that the Haslem-Williams comparison is a great one. He could go over-seas and make his game NBA ready. He played well in 2 games this season against potential lottery pick, Ced Simmons. In the 2 games he scored 42 points, and grabbed 24 rebounds, winning both games. He also played good against Duke scoring 57 points and getting 33 rebounds in 3 games. Against S. Williams. But even with his good outings, he is still most likely to go undrafted. Unless the Pistons want to take on the project of turning him into the next Big Ben (I know no comparison) with the last pick.

[wombat6802]

I don't know if Eric has the same athletic ability that Haslem has. Haslem's body was completely redone, but he still displayed the skills beforehand. Williams will succeed on a team that needs a tough guy. On a team like Portland, that lacks muscle (Randolph plays defense? Is Pryz even there anymore?) he could be a good fit to put in some minutes as a defensive enforcer and rebounder. Plus, he is good for some points around the basket. Regardless of what happens draft wise, I have a feeling Big E will make it to the NBA in some way.

[wombat6802]

http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets_impressed_by_youngsters__play_sports_fred_ker ber.htm

Y'all were there, right? How did he do? Evidently pretty well to be mentioned in the same breath as Boone, Williams, and Wright as a potential standout.

[coachjon]

the nets need to add some size. they obviously have added boone and cliff robinson supposively has resigned so that puts them at 13 players. they could give eric williams a non-guarenteed deal and keep him as an extra 5th big man he was their 4th leading scorer and second leading rebounder in the summer league. rebounding is their biggest need this offseason.

[amazinasian147]

I remember he had a great game in the SL, had 'bout 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. JonG totally missed it in his recap. I remember lot of Nets fans supporting a signing of Eric, but fans don't make the decisions, of course.

[ecuhus]

He would be a great short-term addition to the lineup, especially as a second unit with Mikki Moore. I don't know if there will be room for him after Boone is healthy, but he'll bounce around the league for a while.

[coachjon]

NJ wanted to add a veteran when Boone went down so that eliminated williams from the mix for them. he probably wont be in the league next year.

[Like A Breath]

He's not the most athletic guy in the world, but he's not a stuck to the floor like Jahidi White or Mike Sweetney. He consistently dunks around the basket, which is encouraging. Plays with good intensity. I could see him contributing for the Nets.

[wombat6802]

http://netsdaily.com/blog/?p=211

Reading this just disappoints me. Why would they sign Moore when Williams is on the market. What is a guy a like Moore going to contribute to the long term betterment or rotation of this squad? Is he any different than Collins? Can Moore rebound (a 7 footer getting 2.8 a contest- 12 minutes a game???) or even bang in the paint with his 7'0" 224 lbs stature. He's about as breakable as anybody in the league. With Williams you get rebounds and strength in the post: something that neither Collins nor Moore give you. Williams is a beast. You also get the potential that comes with a guy like this. He's easily capable of an Udonis Haslem transformation. NJN will be extremely stupid not to extend Williams an offer, because with his combination of agressiveness, rebounding ability, and strength, someone will bite. Oh and his 7'4" wingspan makes that 6'9" height a little more appetizing.... I don't understand the NBA sometimes. Why keep guys like Moore in the league when you could flush out the old (tried and failed) and bring in the new?

[ecuhus]

The "moore" I look at it, the moore it looks like Mikki was a knee-jerk reaction to the possibility that we would not be signing Ilic. Sure, they say he's the veteran they want, but you're right; our frontcourt is VERY thin (in more ways than one), except for Collins. And the way Collins plays, he might as well be thin.

I have liked Moore when I have seen him play, but I wonder if the relinquishing of a 2nd-rounder for his services will be seen as a mistake by the 1st of January.