Legendary leader of the Seattle SuperSonics, Gus Williams East died at 71 at a Baltimore area health center. He was admitted there five years ago after suffering a serious stroke. Nicknamed “Wizard,” Williams made Sonics history by leading them to their only NBA title in 1979, alongside Jack Sikma and Dennis Johnson, who won the Finals MVP trophy. He was the perfect backup to Lenny Wilkens on the field.
Trained at USC, he was drafted by the Warriors in 1975, but Gus Williams really exploded on the NBA scene by joining Seattle in 1977. From 9 points at Golden State, he went to 18 in Seattle, and even to 19 during of the title season in 1979. The following year, he was elected to the All-NBA Second Team.
A fast-paced game specialist, Gus Williams is also unfortunately known for his contractual conflicts. Notably in 1980 where he decided not to play the season because he was unhappy with his salary ($500,000 per season). Negotiations will last 13 months for a new contract worth $3 million over five years.
His jersey retired in Seattle
Upon his return, he had his best season with an average of 23.4 points, and finished 5th in the MVP votes! He even won the trophy of “ comeback player of the year“, and the first of his two All-Star Game selections. But after 1984, the Sonics decided to rebuild around Jack Sikma, and he was sent to Washington. Proud of his visit, he organizes a giant party to thank the fans!
“If we reduce it to its simplest expression, the 1979 champions were scattered…”he regretted at the time. “It was a different team. You can expect a team to succeed, year after year, if you keep the same personnel and maybe improve them. But we must not take away this success from them and separate them like that. I don't think this is the solution. I made good friendships with these guys. Plus, it wasn't like we weren't winning any games. From a player's point of view, that's how I feel. From a management perspective, it's their decision. They felt it was better for them, the team or the situation to do this. »
After his retirement in 1987, Williams had his jersey retired in 2004, and it was after his stroke, in 2020, that the “Sonics Legends Fund” was created to support former players in difficulty.
| Gus Williams | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 1975-76 | GOS | 77 | 22 | 42.8 | 74.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11.7 | |
| 1976-77 | GOS | 82 | 24 | 46.4 | 74.7 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.3 | |
| 1977-78 | SEA | 79 | 33 | 45.1 | 81.7 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 18.1 | |
| 1978-79 | SEA | 76 | 30 | 49.5 | 77.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 19.2 | |
| 1979-80 | SEA | 82 | 36 | 48.2 | 19.4 | 78.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 22.2 |
| 1981-82 | SEA | 80 | 36 | 48.6 | 22.5 | 73.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 23.4 |
| 1982-83 | SEA | 80 | 35 | 47.7 | 4.7 | 75.1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| 1983-84 | SEA | 80 | 35 | 45.8 | 16.0 | 75.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 8.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 18.7 |
| 1984-85 | W.A.S. | 79 | 38 | 43.0 | 29.0 | 72.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| 1985-86 | W.A.S. | 77 | 30 | 42.8 | 25.9 | 73.4 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 13.5 |
| 1986-87 | ATL | 33 | 15 | 36.3 | 29.4 | 67.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.2 |
| Total | 825 | 31 | 46.1 | 23.8 | 75.6 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 17.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
