Mo Williams

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Hornets fan blogger John Hartman is a lifelong Charlotte basketball fan and current Swarm 365 team member. The opinions expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Hornets organization.

I know it’s early but the Mo Williams trade is quickly becoming the best trade in Hornets history in my opinion.  Mo “Gotti” Williams has seamlessly inserted himself into the starting lineup and as a result, the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.  Mo is averaging 22 points and nine assists since joining the Hornets.  Watching him play this past month reminded me how much I used to despise Mo when he played for the Cavaliers back in the day.  It was nothing personal, but the fact that he seemed to always go off against the Bobcats, pulling up from five feet outside the arc or in someone’s face without hesitation draining the 3, drove me crazy.  My despise for Mo ended the day we traded for him because I knew exactly what we were getting; well at least I thought I did.  I always expected Mo to score but what blows me away are his speed, control and ability to create for his teammates. 

Considering all he has done the past few weeks, I can’t help but wonder if Mo and Kemba can coexist in the backcourt.  A starting backcourt with two 6’1” guards screams defensive liability.  However, the team defense concept employed by the Hornets should be able to make up for the lack of size.  Play the passing lanes and trust the defense behind you. 

Mo Williams is the backcourt mate Kemba has needed for years.  Defenses tend to double Kemba when he drives leaving the two guard open on the perimeter.  The addition of Mo at what I assume will be the two guard will give defenses two options: 1) double Kemba and hope Mo misses the shot or 2) guard Mo and hope Kemba doesn’t shake his defender for a pull up 15 footer, an easy drive to the bucket or a dish to an open teammate. 

I like our chances in either scenario.  Welcome to “La Hornets Familia” Mo.

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Fan Blog: Mo Gotti, No Problems

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Hornets Postgame | Mo Williams - 03/03/15

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Mo Williams - 2/10/15

February 10, 2015 – Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has acquired guards Mo Williams and Troy Daniels, along with cash considerations, from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for guard Gary Neal and Miami’s 2019 second-round draft pick.  In addition, the Hornets have released Elliot Williams from his 10-day contract.  The Hornets roster remains at 15 players.

“We are excited to be adding two quality players to our organization,” Cho said.  “Mo Williams is a proven NBA player who gives us additional versatility and depth in the backcourt, both while Kemba Walker is out and after Kemba returns.  Troy Daniels is an outstanding shooter who we are already familiar with from having had him in our training camp last season.”

The 47th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Williams is in his 12th NBA season.  He has played in 750 career games for the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves.  An Eastern Conference All-Star in 2008-09, Williams has career averages of 13.3 points, 5.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 29.7 minutes, while shooting .436 from the field (3758-8611), .382 from beyond the three-point line (998-2611) and .869 from the free-throw line (1442-1660).  He ranks sixth among active players in career free-throw percentage and 24th in NBA history.

Williams played in 41 games for Minnesota this season, starting 19, with averages of 12.2 points, 6.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 28.0 minutes.  He shot .403 from the field (180-447), .347 from beyond the three-point line (59-170) and .851 from the free-throw line (80-94).  Williams scored in double figures in 23 of the 41 games, including eight games of 20 points or more, and handed out double-figure assists nine times, tallying eight double-doubles.  He was named Western Conference Player of the Week for Jan. 12-18 after scoring a career-high 52 points on Jan. 13 at Indiana.

Daniels is in his second NBA season, having played in 41 career games for Houston and Minnesota after not being selected in the 2013 NBA Draft.  Daniels, who was in training camp with Charlotte prior to the 2013-14 NBA season, has a career average of 3.4 points on .358 shooting from the field (49-137), including .355 from beyond the three-point line (38-107).  He began this season in Houston before being traded to Minnesota on Dec. 19 as part of a three-team deal.

Daniels also saw action in 48 games last season for Houston’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he was selected for the D-League All-Star Game and earned Third Team All-D-League honors.  He averaged 21.5 points, 4.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 35.4 minutes, while shooting .422 from the field (232-766), .402 from beyond the three-point line (240-599) and .816 from the free-throw line (146-179).  Daniels led the D-League in three-point field goals and three-point field goal attempts and ranked third in total points scored.

Currently in his fifth NBA season, Neal was acquired last February in a trade with Milwaukee.  He played in 65 games for Charlotte, averaging 10.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.1 minutes.  Neal saw action in 43 games for the Hornets this season, with averages of 9.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 21.7 minutes.

Mo Williams

Fan Blog: Mo Gotti, No Problems

Hornets Postgame | Mo Williams - 03/03/15

Mo Williams - 2/10/15

Hornets Acquire Guards Mo Williams, Troy Daniels from Minnesota