Brandon Williams just dropped 11 points in a meaningless Hawaiian loss to the LA Clippers, but his team-high plus/minus of +16 in just 15:30 of action screams way more than the final score. The Warriors have been on a desperate hunt for a spark plug off the bench for years, and Williams’ relentless, effortless attack on Sunday felt like finding a diamond in the rough.
Finally, Someone Who Attacks the Rim
This kid isn’t messing around. In a game that didn’t matter in the standings, Williams was a force, showing exactly what the Dubs have been sorely missing, especially with Jimmy Butler III sidelined after ACL surgery: scoring inside the arc. He went 4-for-7 from two-point range, racking up three of his four buckets by slicing right through the defense. Yeah, he missed both his three-point attempts, and his career 28.0% from deep isn’t exactly lighting it up, but he compensated with three clutch free throws, where he’s a solid 77.5% career shooter. Beyond the points, he chipped in with two rebounds, three assists, and a steal. It was a complete, high-energy performance.
The Ghost of Jordan Poole and the Failed Replacements
Remember Jordan Poole’s championship run four-and-a-half years ago? The guy blossomed from an inconsistent kid into a bona fide bucket, dropping 18.5 points per game with insane efficiency, igniting the offense whenever Steph Curry needed a breather. That was a huge, underrated reason the Warriors shocked the world and won their fourth title in eight years. Ever since that breakout, the team has been trying to find someone, *anyone*, to fill that absolutely vital sixth-man role. Poole, after regression and that whole Draymond Green practice punch situation, couldn’t reprise it and got traded. They tried shifting Klay Thompson into it, but it was clunky and awkward, and he eventually left. Jonathan Kuminga was supposed to be the answer, but it never happened. Buddy Hield was signed for that exact purpose and was way too inconsistent. Seth Curry showed up as a feel-good story, but he just couldn’t stay healthy. The list of failed attempts is long, and frankly, it’s been frustrating to watch.
For the Warriors to even *think* about another surprising contention year, they need a lot of things to click, and finding that Poole-esque spark is absolutely critical. After one preseason game, Williams looks like he might just be that guy. He brought the energy, the inside scoring, and the relentless drive that this team has been craving. Can he keep it up? That’s the million-dollar question. The preseason is just starting, but if Williams can consistently provide this kind of offensive punch, the Warriors’ bench, and their season outlook, gets a whole lot brighter. Keep your eyes peeled for his next outing, because this kid just signaled he’s ready to make some noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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