“Here's a stat: Jalen Williams and I shot the same number of free throws in this game. » Mark Daigneault has a sense of the formula, even when it hides anger. Because indeed, after the Thunder's victory in Orlando, the winger finished without any free throw attempts.
However, he attempted nine shots in the paint and remains an aggressive player with the ball in hand. Obviously, with his 11 small points at 5/15 on the shoot, his worst offensive performance of the season, a few free throws would not have hurt his numbers.
“It’s really frustrating”, he admits. “But I can't let that affect my game. I average 21 points without free throws, it's almost encouraging. »
This season, Jalen Williams in tent 3.3 per meeting. But with only 6 attempts in the last four matches – three in the regular season plus the NBA Cup final – including none in Orlando, it is true that he is going through a lean period.
“We both shot zero free throws,” continues the Oklahoma City coach after giving journalists his statistics. “He was at the heart of the defense for 48 minutes. I understand his frustration. »
“Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”
With 19.5 free throws attempted per game, the Thunder are almost the worst team in this area, only the Hornets doing worse, while also being the most skillful (81.4% success rate). What saves the furniture in this area are the 8.1 attempts of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fifth player who spends the most time on the line. A Jalen Williams more present to help him would therefore not be useless.
“We want him to get more fouls. He continues to penetrate, to create contact. He's a huge athlete, powerful and fast, with long arms, who goes to the rim with force,” notes Alex Caruso. “Maybe he doesn't complain enough, he doesn't tilt his head back enough like other players in the league. It’s the black magic of basketball. »
So, what to do? So add more, to finally mollify the referees, or accept your fate and not have more than a few crumbs here and there, as Jalen Williams seems to think?
“What’s the quote again?” The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” quotes Alex Caruso, in reference to Albert Einstein. “But he has to insist because otherwise, I don't want to say that they will win, but it will handicap our attack. And it will handicap him too. »
| Jalen Williams | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | OKC | 75 | 30 | 52.1 | 35.6 | 81.2 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 14.1 |
| 2023-24 | OKC | 71 | 31 | 54.0 | 42.7 | 81.4 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 19.1 |
| 2024-25 | OKC | 26 | 32 | 49.4 | 37.8 | 81.2 | 0.9 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 5.1 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 21.3 |
| Total | 172 | 31 | 52.4 | 39.1 | 81.3 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 17.2 | |
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.
