twslam07
All-Star
It's absolutely mental and it's effect on confidence and 'feel'. When he has his 'mojo' going, like he did when he first came in with us this past season, he is a big factor at the 3 position. As soon as doubt creeps in, as to whether he's making the right play or decision....it's downhill big time. It effects everything.
He's a guy who needs to be on the floor a lot, in order to "play through it" and gain flow. I believe he played better when he was starting and didn't have to play behind anybody, because he knew he would get a lot of time on the floor, regardless of mistakes. It actually 'freed him up' mentally. Hopefully things go enough his way, where he has a chance for this to happen
It is an interesting thought. If we never traded for Gay and Williams continued to have the intimidating presence of Salmons or Outlaw to replace him [sarcasm], would he have been able to sustain his level of play? And if he did, would he continue to develop his game and become a good/great player in this league?
For the Kings sake, this point is moot since we have Gay.