“It's a lot to manage in the head. »» Mark Williams could only admit, in mid-February, that the cancellation of the transfer to the Lakers was not a simple episode to live in a regular season. As we recall: the leaders of the Californian franchise had refused the exchange with the Hornets, after the player's medical examination. The latter, as well as his agent, had not understood this decision.
So we had to return to Charlotte and replay. “It was a crazy moment but it's the past”,, he confirms. “I try to play as hard as possible, to dominate because I do not think it is a good thing to insist on this situation. »»
While he could have been mentally affected by the situation, either because he is disappointed not to join the Lakers, or because he knows that the leaders of the Hornets agreed to exchange it, Mark Williams obviously digested things, being professional above all.
“In terms of his state of mind, he is good”, Confirms his coach Charles Lee, proud of the progression of his pivot. “It is realistic about things. He has built good relations with everyone in this franchise. So it is above what happened. He's an adult and I like it. »»
Be on your back
It is one thing to say that everything is fine, it is another to prove it. This is the case when you observe its performance on the parquet floors since, since the failed transfer, it runs at 16 points, 11 rebounds and 1.4 against average. “I'm a little more in rhythm at the moment. I find that I have progressed defensively. Offensively, guys find me ”he explains.
The player also received the support of his teammates during this post-transfert period. Support yes, but also positive pressure.
“You have to stay on the back of Mark Williams. He comes from Duke and they were constantly on his back. When he arrived here, Steve Clifford was on him. Charles Lee is too but less, so I think my job is to be on his back because he takes constructive criticisms ”indicates Miles Bridges.
“He wants to help me reach the same standards as him. Everyone was great with me ”, Confirms and adds the pivot, before talking about its objectives for the last month of the season. “I want to continue playing hard, being aggressive, dominate on both sides of the field. Play hard, dominate, take rebounds. »»
| Mark Williams | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | Cha | 43 | 19 | 63.7 | 0.0 | 69.1 | 2.2 | 4.9 | 7.1 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 9.0 |
| 2023-24 | Cha | 19 | 27 | 64.9 | 0.0 | 71.9 | 4.0 | 5.7 | 9.7 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 12.7 |
| 2024-25 | Cha | 32 | 26 | 59.1 | 0.0 | 78.5 | 3.1 | 6.9 | 10.0 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 15.7 |
| Total | 94 | 23 | 61.9 | 0.0 | 74.0 | 2.9 | 5.7 | 8.6 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 12.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
