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PLEASE DRAFT ME: Sean Williams

Jun 19, 2007 – 9:30 AM
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Nate Jones

Nate Jones %BloggerTitle%

Some prospects aren't getting enough respect on draft boards. PLEASE DRAFT ME aims to change that.

In most years, a 6'10" athletic freak with great shot blocking ability would most certainly be a top ten pick. However, this year there is a player that has all of those qualities, yet will likely not be selected in the top 15. That player is none other than former Boston College center, Sean Williams.

Williams is a big man in the mold of a young Theo Ratliff that has the ability to change games just with his defense. He's more fluid than Ratliff on the offense side of the ball and has a nice set of hands, so in the right situation (like playing next to Steve Nash or Kobe Bryant), he could have an impact at both ends of the floor. As well, outside of Greg Oden, Williams is more athletic/explosive than any big in the draft.

The problem with Williams is not about his effort on the court, but his issues off of it. He reportedly was kicked off of the Boston College squad because of a bad marijuana habit. But wasn't Lamar Odom once deemed a knuckle head because of his marijuana problem? Despite Lamar's past affinity for "talking to Samson", most now see him as one of the most well behaved players in the entire league.

Not to justify smoking weed, but I know tons of kids that were pot heads in college yet now currently have well paying corporate jobs. So why are NBA teams holding this issue against Williams? Perhaps they're afraid he'll end up like this guy.

Anyhow, because of Williams weed habit, he's not going to be a lottery pick. That means playoff teams such as the Lakers, Warriors, or Pistons might have a chance to capture a lottery type player without even having a high pick. In my eyes this is all too silly...especially when a guy like Spencer Hawes--that can't rebound or play defense--is likely to be a top ten pick.

I have a feeling that people who pass on this guy are going to be kicking themselves for years to come.

Random Afterthought: I don't even want to think about Detroit getting their hands on him. A young big man rotation of Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, and Sean Williams would be just straight up naaasssttyyy.
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