Michael Carter-Williams has had a rollercoaster career for sure, but there is still a place for him in the 2019-2020 NBA and beyond.
Michael Carter-Williams, or as I prefer MCW, Broke onto the scene in a major way after he was drafted as the 11th pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Sixers. Let’s quickly re-live MCW’s wild and still unbelievable rookie year for the “Process Sixers.”
MCW's NBA debut is still one of the better ones in recent memory. I would be willing to put it up against any NBA debut:
I cannot over state how crazy of a performance this game was, although the numbers do a pretty good job themselves. We have to remember that this was not against some scrub team. This was against the defending champion Miami Heat. I feel I should mention that Wade missed the game, the starting line-ups for both looked a little something like this:
This was one of the most exciting games for Sixers fans at the time. Put yourself in that mindset for just a second. The Process starts, trade Holiday etc, pick Noel and MCW up in the draft, then on opening night, at home with the defending champs coming to visit and at the time the best player in the league. Then, the young rookie point guard throws out a night like that! His nine steals are still a record by a rookie on his debut.
It didn’t stop there either. Less than five days later MCW had another really nice night albeit less stat stuffing than his opener. MCW scored 26 points and 10 assists, good for his second career double-double. Following this game, MCW continued to break records, being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, in his first week in the league. The last player to accomplish that feat was named Shaquille O’Neal. MCW was far from done after this unforgettable rookie year. MCW was named Rookie of the Month for his performances in October and November as he lead all rookies in points (17.2), assists (7.3), steals (2.92) and minutes (36.2) per game. He then opened the month of December with another historic night. MCW recorded his first triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in 47 minutes in a 126-125 double overtime victory over the Orlando Magic. The historic part of the night comes with fellow Rookie, Victor Oladipo of the Magic, who also recorded his first career triple-double in the same game, marking the first and only time in NBA history that two rookies have recorded triple-doubles in the same game. MCW would go on to win Rookie of the Month a further three times, in January, March and April. He was the first Sixers rookie ever to be given a third and a fourth Rookie of the Month award (paving the way for Embiid to get 3 and Simmons to get 4 in their respective rookie seasons). At the end of the season MCW was named the NBA Rookie of the Year to cap off a rookie year to challenge just about anyone (Factoid, first guy to be named rookie of the year picked after 10 since 87). While this was all an amazing wild ride for sure, I do have to call out that there were issues in MCW’s game in his rookie year. This was not some flawless, untouchable season. He was (and still is) a bad shooter from distance (26% on three attempts per game). In his hailed rookie year, he also struggled with turnovers (3.5pg). It is worth mentioning that the NBA’s premium on shooting, wasn’t what it is now back in 2013 which made MCW a much more intriguing prospect in his early years.
MCW didn’t really appear to have much of a sophomore slump the following year. Through the first 41 games of the season, he averaged 15ppg, 7.4apg, 6.2rpg, however, his struggles shooting the ball were almost identical (25% on three attempts a game), and his turnovers per game actually increased (4.2). After just 41 games of his sophomore season the Sixers traded MCW to the Bucks as part of a three-team trade. The Sixers only thing they got in return was a future 1st round pick. That pick became Markelle Fultz, who became Jonathan Simmons and a 2nd round pick which ended up playing a part in acquiring Tobias Harris. The Process ladies and gentleman. Hinkie truly dies for this.
Following the trade MCW played well for the remainder of the season with the Bucks (a few nights with 25+) but the same flaws plagued him shooting poorly and still turning the ball over more than three times a game. Carter-Williams began the 2015–16 season strongly for the Bucks, however, he subsequently missed the next five games with an ankle injury, returning to action in November. By the end of November 29 MCW had been moved to the bench in favor of Jarryd Bayless after a string of poor performances. His inconsistency saw him bounce in and out of the starting line-up. On March 7, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his left hip. Prior to the 2016-17 season the Bucks traded Carter-Williams to the Bulls for Tony Snell.
MCW missed most of the first half of the 2016-17 season injured. Upon his return the day after Christmas, he did see some time in the starting line-up, however, this was short lived. MCW featured from the bench for the rest of the year and playoffs (1st round exit). Prior to this season, despite his struggles Carter-Williams had never averaged less than 30 minutes per game.
In the summer of 2017 Carter Williams signed with the Hornets, where he saw the lowest number of minutes in his career so far and played forgettably before his season ended in early March 2018.
Carter-Williams signed with the Houston Rockets prior to the start of the 2018-19 season. He understandably took a back-seat role in Houston, playing just under 10 minutes per game in 16 games of action. In January of 2019 he was traded by the Rockets, to the Bulls. Where he was cut almost instantly. Carter-Williams then signed with the Magic in March to be part of an unlikely push for the playoffs. Carter-Williams impressed over 12 games with the Magic playing as the back-up to DJ Augustin. Carter Williams’ plus/minus net rating per 100 possessions were +14.7 and then +11.4 in the playoffs, which, even though comes from a small sample size, is impressive.
I think this the way in which Michael Carter-Williams can be a valuable guy to some teams, especially those with very low cap flexibility. He's a capable defender who knows were to be on the court and make the right pass. Some who proved in an albeit limited capacity he can stay on the floor in the playoffs.
We all know Cater-Williams’ one glaring weakness, he cannot shoot the ball to save his life, a problem in today’s NBA for sure. But this is not a death sentence. Carter-Williams is really long for his position standing, at 6’6 with a wingspan of 6’7, and this gives him a significant height advantage against most other point guards. His significant height advantage makes him hard to score inside on and also gives him good close out abilities on smaller point guards. As you can imagine this also makes Cater-Williams a good rebounder, especially at the point guard position. Ever since coming into the league Carter-Williams has showed that his length and active hands will result in steals for his team, as a starter Carter-Williams never averaged less than 1.5 steals a game. After struggling with a high number of turnovers in his first four years in the NBA, he has got this more under control with each year in the league, however, him no longer being the starter will also have a large factor in this.
I couldn't resist including a look at Micheal Carter-Williams career by the numbers. It looks like he was some kind of Benjamin Button phenomenon.
Fit: Carter-Williams re-upped in Orlando for the 2019-20 season. I like him as the back-up point guard in Orlando however, with some other players on that roster who lack shooting, who he shares the floor with should be chosen carefully. With other capable floor spacers, he can facilitate, take opportunities at the rim and defend multiple positions.
Summary: Bench point guard who is a plus defender, good and willing passer, who can also score inside when presented the chance. Cannot shoot, needs to have shooters on the floor with him.
Credits: Stats provided by:
Photo credit:
Cover via www.bleacherreport.com
Comments