Hardwood Highlight of the Night: The gravity of Williams gets Hayes easy bucket
Toronto Raptors reserve Lou Williams has been absolutely on fire of late, and it's causing defenses fits.
The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week was at it once again on Monday night against the equally-hot Phoenix Suns. It was clear from the outset that the Suns had heeded advanced scouting reports, keying in on Williams as best they could.
Of course, when a player is as hot as Williams is, that doesn't do a whole lot. Williams still managed 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting. It also makes it tough to defend a hot scorer when he's willing to make the right plays if he notices the defense leaning his way, as Williams did on Monday.
Early in the second quarter, Williams brought the ball up in transition and drew the attention of all five Suns defenders.
Given how he's played of late, Williams would have been within his rights to go one-on-five, but he opted to slow things down instead. As Chuck Hayes caught up as a trailer and made like he was going to set a screen, Williams leaned his dribble that way.
Williams then quickly reversed course, driving in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, Hayes held his ground, becoming the open man when his defender helped in trying to seal Williams off. Look at how the entire defense bent to Williams - he was being doubled, the strong side corner was ready to help, while the weak side defenders kept a close eye, too.
As Williams continued his course, the weakside help shaded even further, while no defenders concerned themselves with Hayes. Hayes is averaging one point a game, after all. But Randolph had to scramble when Williams hit Hayes with a behind-the-back pass.
The Suns eventually got bodies into the paint to seal off Hayes, who eschewed a pass outside to hit his patented Root Beer Floater. The entire play isn't anything special tactically, but it shows how a hot scorer can bend a defense and, if willing, create easy opportunities for teammates.
(Courtesy: NBA.com)