Not sure why your not comfortable with the ball in his hands. He's fourth on the team in assists with only Bogdanovic, Fox, and Mason creating more assists. His assist to turnover ratio isn't quite two to one, but it's close. Willie has shown himself to be not only a good passer for a 7 footer, but he's a very unselfish player. The ball seldom stops with him, and a lot of the time that it does, is when he gets the ball with time running out, and has to shoot it.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Watch a game with your attention strictly on Willie, and keep track of how many times he stops penetration by the other team, and then gets back to his man. That doesn't show up in a stat sheet. Everyone is concerned about blocking shots. Well what Willie does, is prevent the situation where you need to block a shot. Stopping penetration by the opposing team is actually better than blocking a shot, because it keeps your defense from breaking down.
Do wish that Willie rebounded better? Damm right I do, but in the last few games, I noticed that many times Willie had blocked out but didn't get the rebound. Thing is, one of his teammates did because of his block out. I'm not making excuses for him, because there are times when he doesn't head to the basket when the shot is in the air. However, many of those times Willie is one of the first people back on defense. So far, I'm fairly pleased with his progress this season. Next season, I expect more, a lot more.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Watch a game with your attention strictly on Willie, and keep track of how many times he stops penetration by the other team, and then gets back to his man. That doesn't show up in a stat sheet. Everyone is concerned about blocking shots. Well what Willie does, is prevent the situation where you need to block a shot. Stopping penetration by the opposing team is actually better than blocking a shot, because it keeps your defense from breaking down.
Do wish that Willie rebounded better? Damm right I do, but in the last few games, I noticed that many times Willie had blocked out but didn't get the rebound. Thing is, one of his teammates did because of his block out. I'm not making excuses for him, because there are times when he doesn't head to the basket when the shot is in the air. However, many of those times Willie is one of the first people back on defense. So far, I'm fairly pleased with his progress this season. Next season, I expect more, a lot more.
My eye test - he's often trying to do a twirly, whirly, hook - no await layup - no wait hook" and he's seems like he's experimenting at the expense of that particular NBA possession.
I don't hate the dude - just think sometimes he wants to play over his head a little.