No more time than he gets I sure wish he would go in and start sharp shooting. They said in practice he makes them from WAY OUT! I know thats practice but he will not shoot. He could be the spark we need coming in and busting some deep three's. 
Kenny Williams
- Thread starter diehard34
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Keep waiting for him to hit ONE shot that will give him confidence moving forward I know he is struggling but perhaps he will get that spark soon
But you have to say, at this stage he's defense is a lot better than I surely expected for a freshman. It seems to me he's a jump shoot away from being "that dude" that could push him over. I've heard the same thing about his shooting in practice. He seem to be the kid that just lets the game comes to him and doesn't rush to get going. I really see this kids having a very nice career at UNC. Plus, with MP gone next year he's gonna be ask to produces a lot more.
Love his "up-side". He and Maye both just need to see a couple go in. Both shoot the ball really well, unlike Theo whose shot is God Awful!
Any sport, practice does not equate to games. Tiger Woods didn't miss a shot on the range from 2000-09, yet he can spray it everywhere on the course. Ever watch Brady in practice? He doesn't miss a throw. And these are the best guys to play their sport.
Kenny Williams simply isn't ready yet. We have to accept that fact this season and hope he will contribute next year with some more playing time and a summer to improve.
Kenny Williams simply isn't ready yet. We have to accept that fact this season and hope he will contribute next year with some more playing time and a summer to improve.
Watching him closely, it is pretty clearly now just a matter of having that confidence "light" come on. He is already very good defensively --- especially for a freshman. Offensively he's just trying to fit in and get used to his responsibilities in the free-lance flow of our Passing Game.
It would be a bonus if that light came on before this season is done.
It will be a Super-Bonus if the light comes on this season. I see zero indications that will happen. He still looks lost. Truly hope he proves me wrong, and not hating on him. He just looks like the lower ranked Freshman we knew we were getting.
Lower ranked freshman?... unlike higher ranked freshmen like, say... Jeter?
I don't see exactly what KW "lower ranked freshman" has to do with anything. Heck, I seen plenty of "higher rank freshman" that look lost too. Hell Stephen Curry was a "lower ranked freshman" once to. However, Coach seem to have no problems putting our "lower ranked freshman" in the game of late. ijs
Just saying most of us were not expecting a lot out of Kenny this season, again, not slamming him. Just tempering my expectations.
I don't think many of us were expecting very much from our Freshmen this year. A few were. But a few think every recruit we get is the next coming of (name a former great). I've seen promise in both players.
KW has really impressed me in the limited minutes he's been given, esp with his defence.
So far this year he's been used as that 'breather' reserve who comes in a minute or so before a time-out or halftime to give Marcus or JB an extended rest. In those situations he isn't expected to score but is expected to defend. (it's a different case with Luke who's been called upon to play more meaningful minutes due to injuries and some erratic play from the upperclassmen in the front line)
Anyway, back to Williams. There were a couple of moments against BC where he got the ball outside the arc and could easily have taken the shot. But, it wasn't in his brief and he deferred to his team mates.
While success in practice doesn't always equate to success in game-time when you look at it the other way the rule is a little easier: You can't consistently perform in game time without great results in practice (one or two game streaky flukes aside)
For that reason, I like hearing how KW shoots in practice, it means he's got the ability to perform when needed and when that happens (either this year or next) I think we'll all be very happy he became a Heel.
So far this year he's been used as that 'breather' reserve who comes in a minute or so before a time-out or halftime to give Marcus or JB an extended rest. In those situations he isn't expected to score but is expected to defend. (it's a different case with Luke who's been called upon to play more meaningful minutes due to injuries and some erratic play from the upperclassmen in the front line)
Anyway, back to Williams. There were a couple of moments against BC where he got the ball outside the arc and could easily have taken the shot. But, it wasn't in his brief and he deferred to his team mates.
While success in practice doesn't always equate to success in game-time when you look at it the other way the rule is a little easier: You can't consistently perform in game time without great results in practice (one or two game streaky flukes aside)
For that reason, I like hearing how KW shoots in practice, it means he's got the ability to perform when needed and when that happens (either this year or next) I think we'll all be very happy he became a Heel.
Agreed, Oz. His form looks good too. I love that he doesn't force shots, and he's going to be a good defender.
One thing he definitely doesn't do is screw up. I thing he is still figuring out the offense but he never comes in and messes up on either end.
eventually someone is going to have to be better than projected, Maye is what I thought Kenny is under what I thought
Yeah I agree, Maye is about on par, don't think Kenny has had the chance to do much, but as said earlier, he's been impressive with limited minutes.
I'm always careful with what I expect with new recruits.... remember Joel James? Many on here thought he'd dominate but in the end he's become a serviceable back-up centre.
Maybe the lesson is to expect less and get more pleasant surprises...... I'm sure that's what I told my wife when we first met.
He seems like he stands around a lot in one spot on offense. Not sure if that is what he is supposed to be doing or not, but noticed it quite frequently.
That is the point I was making that he still hasn't quite adjusted to the flow of our Pass\sing Game offense. He's not getting a lot of live game reps because of our depth, but I can see a lot of upside. Very advanced defensively for a freshman, and has the skills. I stand by what I said earlier that he should have a big jump over the summer. Wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him starting next to JB next season.
I would love to see the starters and A players do their job and blowout at least one team so these guys can get a game of good minutes for themselves and their game!!! Sorry I'll get off my soapbox.
Yeah, I agree, this is just not the year for kenny, hoped maybe he would have hit a few early and got his confidence rolling but looks like maybe not this season for him. Love the kid's potential, gonna be a good one for us down the road, no worries about that kid.
Eeesh, maybe I'm missing something because I haven't seen much promise. I don't want to disparage the kid, but I haven't seen anything from Kenny that gets me excited about his future. He's so tentative, his shot hasn't even been close the few times he's taken one and his defense is so-so. I agree with cory that he doesn't mess things up. But I also agree with jericho that I see him standing around a lot. Basically, when he's out there, I feel we're playing 4 v 5, especially on the offensive end. I hope he gets some serious work in this summer and is ready next year. But I'm not sure he'll play much next year either. Is Robinson behind Williams? If so, I'm nervous about next year.
You're right 'slinger, he hasn't shown much on O this year, though to be fair, he hasn't had much opportunity.
I don't think anyone is saying he's the next coming of MJ but I do think his defence is very good for a frosh and, if he makes a 'normal' frosh to soph jump he'll be an effective part of the rotation..... not an alpha dog, but a team mate.
As I said above, that's a realistic expectation and if we get a nice surprise.... then terrific.
1992 Donald Williams 2.2pts/gm and looked clueless for entire season.
1993 Donald Williams Final Four MOP
I see the comparisons between these two beyond same last name.
Agreed. His comfort factor in 93 was apparent in the preseason when he led team in scoring. Just carried over all season.
No more time than he gets I sure wish he would go in and start sharp shooting. They said in practice he makes them from WAY OUT! I know thats practice but he will not shoot. He could be the spark we need coming in and busting some deep three's.
He missed his one and only shot today!
He'll get more.
I like that it doesn't appear to be bothering him that much (not hitting a 3) ..his form looks fine ... Other parts of his game (limited I know) have been really good... I think there's a bright future for Kenny Williams at UNC
I don't how some of you can excuse a horrible jump shot or little offensive game by saying they are freshmen. See it all the time on this board. A jump shot is a jump shot at all levels. Do these guys flat out forget how to shoot between high school and their freshman year? Real shooters don't look that bed and then all of a sudden become great. I think Roy just doesn't recruit great shooters and hasn't had one in a long time. Expecting much out of maye and km is setting yourself up to be disappointed.
So Roy doesn't recruit great shooters, eh? One thing is certain, you won't be disappointed with Luke or Kenny. They just about have to exceed your expectations. Maybe your approach is to be pessimistic about everything UNC related so that you're pleasantly surprised when anything good happens?
http://www.scout.com/college/north-carolina/story/1543868-scouting-report-kenny-williams
Sounds like his strength coming out of high school was 3pt shooting to me. Did you just start watching basketball? Serious question.
Shooting is very much mental.
Michael Jordan once dominated someone so bad in shooting games that the player he played had his confidence broken and he never recovered.
Didn't he realize a jump shot is a jump shot? How did he go from a great shooter to a broken shot afterwards?
I liked the way Kenny was moving his feet on defense yesterday. Also liked Luke draining the 3 pointer.
