Shadow player of the Thunder and specialist in defensive tasks, Kenrich Williams (1m98, 29 years old) is in his fourth campaign in Oklahoma City. But the veteran winger is also facing increasingly intense competition within a team that continues to climb the hierarchy of its conference.
With an average of 4 points and 3 rebounds in 14 minutes, he saw his statistical contribution halved compared to last season. But the person concerned is not the type to let a little adversity disturb him, as Mark Daigneault tells us.
“I have always been impressed by his ability to take on challenges. I found it poetic, for example, that it was him who defended LeBron James when he broke the record [de points marqués dans l’histoire]. He is always ready for competition and he had to apply that to his throws. He had to get out of his comfort zone, it was a test for him but it's good for his overall progress. »
With barely 51% success on the penalty line in his career (!), including a pitiful 30% this season on a low sample (3/10), Kenrich Williams wanted to overhaul everything in his shooting routine . If he hasn't yet gotten to the point of shooting with a spoon, Rick Barry style, he has found his method: shooting with a board!
“It just happened, honestly. I can't really explain it, it just happened.”he explains in The Oklahoman. “It’s clear that it’s different from the others, but I’m confident. I'm not afraid to try new things. »
“If you make a 0/10 3-pointer, everyone knows it! »
This is because the method was recently relaunched in South Korea, where the technique is increasingly used.
No longer invited to throw since December 1, Kenrich Williams has not really been able to show his progress in matches, knowing that his average playing time dropped further in February (13 minutes). But Mark Daigneault still has full confidence in himself for the future.
“When we compete, we are vulnerable. When you miss your shots, it demoralizes you and you're naked on the field. If you make a 0/10 3-pointer, everyone knows it! [Kenrich] is always ready to provide leadership with this group of young people, which can sometimes be scary. But he is never afraid! »
In the team masterfully led by the local All-Star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a handful of very ambitious kids like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, Kenrich Williams will not be too much to bring his toughness and his uncompromising defense during the next playoff battles.
“It takes courage [de modifier son tir] and the time to be able to work on it, as with everything. »
| Kenrich Williams | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | NOP | 46 | 24 | 38.4 | 33.3 | 68.4 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 6.1 |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 39 | 21 | 34.7 | 25.8 | 34.6 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 3.5 |
| 2020-21 | OKAY | 66 | 22 | 53.3 | 44.4 | 57.1 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 8.0 |
| 2021-22 | OKAY | 49 | 22 | 46.1 | 33.9 | 54.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 7.4 |
| 2022-23 | OKAY | 53 | 23 | 51.7 | 37.3 | 43.6 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 8.0 |
| 2023-24 | OKAY | 48 | 15 | 45.9 | 39.8 | 30.0 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 4.3 |
| Total | 301 | 21 | 46.7 | 35.8 | 50.9 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 6.4 | |
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.
