Shawne Williams Has Been Pleasant Surprise For Miami Heat Thus Far
By Jared Doyle
@outofboundsjay
Steve Mitchell- USA Today Sports
This season has been what many projected it would be for the Miami Heat thus far — slightly above average. With so many new additions to the roster, this is what was expected. With that being said, there have been some pleasant surprises for the Heat in terms of their recent acquisitions, but none more than the way Shawne Williams has been performing.
Williams was thought to be nothing more than just a role player off the bench for the Heat, playing as the fifth or sixth man in the frontcourt rotation. However, with all of the injuries to the Heat’s frontcourt early in the season, Williams has ended up starting in all 15 games this season and is averaging 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists, all career highs. Even more impressive, Williams is shooting a higher percentage from beyond the arc (51 percent) than what he is shooting from the field, which for a stretch forward is a ridiculous average.
Williams’ ability to stretch the floor for the Heat has been a luxury, especially with the lack of three-point shooting specialist on the roster. His ability to secure rebounds has also become a necessity with the lack of size in the frontcourt rotation. Williams has become the Heat’s second-best rebounder, which tells you a lot about his importance on their roster.
The Heat’s initial starting lineup didn’t have Williams in the fold, but what the early part of the season has already proven is that the six-year veteran can be a crucial part to any team’s starting lineup. This is why Williams hasn’t been anything other than the Heat’s starting power forward since the beginning of the regular season, and there is a good chance that won’t change anytime soon.
Jared Doyle is a Miami Heat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @outofboundsjay, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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