Lou Williams would have liked more patience from the Clippers | NBA

Water has flowed under the bridges but Lou Williams‘ frustration after his departure from the Clippers does not seem to have entirely dissipated. Last March, the three-time winner of the title of 6th man of the year was transferred to Atlanta against Rajon Rondo. A moment particularly badly lived by the person concerned who had squarely considered to retire in the days which had followed.

« I don’t want to look back and tell myself that I retired prematurely, wondering what I could have done or what could have happened “, He blurted out at the time. Long questioned by Clutchpoints, the rear has visibly still in mind “what could have happened” with the Clippers.

« I would have liked us to be a little more patient with the process to try to build something special. But you know, in the NBA today, it’s instant results or nothing. It was the only disappointing part, but I have no regrets. I like everyone (at the Clippers), no hard feelings towards anyone “, Assures the 35-year-old player today, back in his old room a few days ago. He did not play this meeting, but he has everything even got his tribute video.

Transferred at the last minute

At the time of the transfer, Lou Williams was experiencing a less good exercise than in previous years, with a declining offensive contribution (from 18 to 12 points on average). Californians preferred to do without it, while the young Terance Mann in particular was emerging, and bet on a more creative profile with Rajon Rondo. An ultimately very inconclusive experience …

« It took me a bit off guard ”, remembers the veteran on this transfer. “We heard some noises from the hallway, but nothing really concrete. I felt something was going to happen, but we didn’t know with whom. I believe the deadline was three o’clock. I got traded at 2:45 am or something. I was getting ready for the game and I got a call from my agent, he said: ‘We think something is going on, stay by your phone’. And I got this call. The pill was hard to swallow, but that’s the business. »

Along with Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams has indeed been one of the faces of the franchise in recent years. He had participated in the beautiful epic of the Clippers version 2018-2019, after “Lob City”, and before the arrivals of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. But the scorer has never been beyond the half-conference of 2020, memorably lost to the Nuggets.

Still a possible return?

Despite this frustration of not being at the end of it, Sweet Lou enjoyed visiting his former team who, according to him, ” keep moving in the right direction », Highlighting the internal progress of Terance Mann or Amir Coffey.

From his time with the neighbors of the Lakers, from 2017 to 2021 therefore, the rear says not to be able to stop on a memorable memory in particular as they were numerous. But he hopes at least that the local public appreciated the efforts made in this team which knew how to shine in the regular season with, but also without All-Star in the workforce.

« We went to great lengths to try to make this place a place where it was difficult for our opponents to play and at the same time, to make it an attractive place. Blood, sweat, and tears were poured into it, and come to think of it, almost everyone has moved on. Obviously, there is still the hard core, but when you think about it, we were happy. I have no regrets about my time here. I am truly grateful and appreciate everything we have done. »

But if the opportunity to go back to finish the job presents itself … ” Absoutely. If that makes sense, absolutely. I still have a great relationship here, so if it makes sense for both sides, it will happen. »