Should Gus Williams be in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely put him in! - 88%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2.8%
No opinion. - 0.4%
No way! - 2.5%
5. Gus Williams
Gus Williams had a very solid career in the NBA highlighted by being a member of back to back NBA finalists in Seattle. “The Wizard” as he was known, teamed with Hall of famer Dennis Johnson in the Sonic backcourt. Williams was not just a key member of the team that won a title in ‘79, he was the catalyst. He averaged 28.6 points a game in the final to lead Seattle to an upset over the Washington Bullets.
In 1980, Williams was a Second Team All-NBA selection and then in the prime of his career Williams sat out 1981 over a contract dispute. But when he signed he came back better than ever, and was voted to the First Team All-NBA squad in 1982. His ability to both distribute as well as score at the point position set him apart from most of the point guards of the day. Williams could also defend which was essential to being on Coach Lenny Wilkens teams and his ability to pickpocket defenders and take it the other way made him dangerous. His statistics are solid, averaging 17 points a game and almost 6 assists plus 2 steals. What makes him worthy of Hall recognition is that he was one of the few players not yet elected that was the best player on a championship team.
The Bullet Points
- Country of Origin: Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.A.
- Eligible Since: Friday, 01 January 1993
- Position: Point Guard
- Games Played: 825
-
Per Game Averages: 31.1 MIN
17.1 PTS
2.7 RB
5.6 AST
2.0 STL
0.4 BLK
.461 FG%
.277 3P%*
.756 FT%
99 Playoff Games
32.5 MIN
19.5 PTS
3.1 RB
4.7 AST
1.8 STL
0.4 BLK
.476 FG%
.263 3P%
.737 FT%
*3P% began in the 1979-80 Season -
Advanced Stats: 18.5 PER
.505 TS%
67.9 WS
31.8 VORP
99 Playoff Games
20.4 PER
.520 TS%
10.1 WS
5.4 VORP - Played For: Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Seattle Super Sonics, Washington Bullets/Wizards
- College: USC
- Drafted: 2nd Round, 20th Overall in 1975
-
Major Accolades and Awards: NBA All-Star (2) (1982 & 1983)
First Team All-NBA (1) (1981-82)
Second Team All-NBA (1) (1979-80)
NBA Comeback Player of the Year (1981-82)
First Team All-Rookie (1975-76)
Most Defensive Rebounds (1) (1985-86)
Most Rebounds (2) (1983-84 & 1985-86)
NBA Championship Rings: (1) (Seattle Super Sonics, 1978-79)
Second Team All-American (1) (1975)
First Team All-Pac 8 (1975) -
Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes:
8th in 1980 & 5th in 1982
Top Ten Finishes: Points (1) (1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: Points per Game (1) (1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: Assists (3) (1982-83, 1983-84 & 1984-85)
Top Ten Finishes: Assists per Game (3) (1982-83, 1983-84 & 1984-85)
Top Ten Finishes: Steals (7) (1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84 & 1984-85)
Top Ten Finishes: Steals per Game (7) (1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84 & 1984-85)
Top Ten Finishes: Field Goals (2) (1979-80 & 1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: Field Goal Attempts (2) (1979-80 & 1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goals (2) (1979-80 & 1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goal Attempts (2) (1979-80 & 1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: 3-Point Field Goals (1) (1984-85)
Top Ten Finishes: 3-Point Field Goal Attempts (1) (1984-85)
Top Ten Finishes: Minutes Played (1) (1979-80)
Top Ten Finishes: Minutes per Game (1) (1984-85)
Top Ten Finishes: Win Shares (1) (1979-80)
Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Win Shares (1) (1979-80)
Top Ten Finishes: Box Plus/Minus (2) (1978-79 & 1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Box Plus/Minus (1) (1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Box Plus/Minus (1) (1978-79)
Top Ten Finishes: VORP (1) (1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82 & 1982-83)
Top Ten Finishes: Usage Percentage: (1) (1981-82)
Top Ten Finishes: Assist Percentage: (3) (1981-82, 1982-83 & 1983-84)
Top Ten Finishes: Steal Percentage: (6) (1975-76, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1982-83 & 1983-84) -
Notable All-time Rankings: 16. Steals per Game: 2.0
22. Steal Percentage: 3.0
30. Steals: 1,638
78. Box Plus/Minus: 2.9
87. Assists per Game: 4,597
89. Usage Percentage: 25.5
89. Assists: 4,597
Should Gus Williams be in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely put him in! - 88%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2.8%
No opinion. - 0.4%
No way! - 2.5%
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