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Houston Rockets: Alan Williams Earns All Vegas 2nd Team Honors

By Tamberlyn Richardson

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When the Houston Rockets brought Alan Williams to Vegas to play on their Summer League roster he wasn’t the first player fans or media were expecting big production from. Many were excited to see what Rookies Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell would bring and others were hoping second year players Nick Johnsonand Clint Capela would showcase where their game had matured and add input to the rookies and other teammates to help garner wins.

Flash forward ten days and of those 4 players only Harrell played while the others never took to the court due to various ailments. As of Monday morning one of them is no longer a Rocket (Johnson).

Harrell definitely made an impression in his time on the court showcasing his reputed motor, energy and intensity, but it was a little known player who stole the headlines.

Alan Williams played in 4 games for the Rockets in Vegas and posted some impressive showings specifically in Houston’s last game when he broke the rare 20-20 category scoring 22 and pulling down 21 boards with 12 of the rebounds being on the offensive glass.

His performance landed him on the prestigious list of All NBA Summer League Second Team.

First Team:

Only one rookie made the first team and making this a more impressive choice was he was selected in the second round. Powell was the 46th pick of the Toronto Raptors a pick they added on draft night via the Greivis Vasquez trade with Milwaukee. The second team also was dominated by 3 second year players with Mudiay and Williams the two rookies making the list.

Second Team:

  • Emmanuel Mudiay – Rookie, Denver Nuggets (played in Chinese League)
  • Larry Drew II – 2nd year – New Orleans Pelicans
  • Dwight Powell – 2nd year – Dallas Mavericks
  • Noah Vonleh – 2nd year – Portland Trail Blazers
  • Alan Williams – undrafted rookie – Houston Rockets

Mudiay was selected seventh overall, so his inclusion isn’t a surprise especially when you factor in he played with men in the Chinese League last season. However Williams (and Powell) inclusion on the team is a major achievement and definitely not names pundits would have predicted prior to the tournament start.

To put into perspective how big an accomplishment this was for Williams he was one of just 3 rookies making the list. And while Powell’s accomplishment was equally notable Williams selection has teams sitting up and taking notice of the un-drafted player.

Looking at his tournament stats Williams was the highest ranked rookie point getter averaging 20.5 points per game. In addition he topped the leader boards in rebounding, averaging 11.8 per game.

With the signing of K.J. McDaniels and trade to bring Ty Lawson to Houston the roster is filling up and looking very strong from a depth perspective with only the center position not being 3 deep. Given that, I wonder if Daryl Morey will look to sign Williams to a contract to bring to training camp. Morey could offer an unguaranteed contract that would lock Williams down (to Houston) through the summer, so the Rockets’ staff could work with him and make a final decision at camp.

Should Rockets Sign Alan Williams?

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Conversely, not giving Williams a guaranteed contract would open the door for other teams to snatch him up. His stated weakness is the ability to defend the pick and roll and defense on stretch fours, however with Dwight Howard and Clint Capela slated to play in front of him I think it would be a risk worth taking. Williams could spend time with the Rio Valley Vipers to gain experience and hone his defensive short comings.

We’d love to hear your perspective, so take our poll and leave your comments on what the Rockets and Morey should do about Williams.

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