Bill Simmons Highlights Underrated Part of Jalen Williams' Game With Bold Comparison

The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Jalen Williams turn into a superstar during his second season and Bill Simmons highlighted an underrated aspect of Williams' game with a bold comparison.

Jan 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) passes / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder (52-22) have seen Jalen Williams turn into a sophomore superstar. After turning in a stellar rookie year, where he really came into his own in the second half nearly grabbing the Rookie of the Year Award, the Santa Clara product has hit another gear.

Williams is averaging 19.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting a jaw-dropping 54 percent from the floor, 43 percent from beyond the arc and 81 percent at the charity stripe.

The Santa Clara product is a three-level scorer with an unreal ability to go get a bucket for the Thunder. Shooting 69 percent at the rim (77th percentile). 49 percent in the mid-range (92nd percentile) and 43 percent from the 3-point line including 50 percent in the corner and 42 percent above the break.

While everyone acknowledges Williams' scoring prowess Oklahoma City has enjoyed a leap on the defensive end as well. The high-motor forward is able to switch a multitude of positions with the length to contest shots at the rim, swipe steals, deflect passes and wreak havoc on opposing teams' offenses. This has led to an eyebrow-raising comparison from long-time basketball journalist Bill Simmons.

"There's a lot of Kawhi when I watch Jalen Williams."@BillSimmons and @ryenarussillo discuss the potential of Jalen Williams after his massive game yesterday at MSG: pic.twitter.com/xVhiFyAzq7

— The Ringer (@ringer) April 1, 2024

As Simmons compares the second-year wing to Kawhi Leonard, it is not inconceivable. While Leonard will always have the edge on the defensive end, the Thunder forward has a baseline skill and tenacity that makes you encouraged he can develop into a truly elite weapon on that end.

This season, Williams ranks in the 73rd percentile in overall defense according to synergy, including elite pick-and-roll coverage, the ability to blow up screens, chase down transition chances and wall up at the rim when put in that position rotationally.

Will Williams ever make LeBron James shake his head in frustration seeing Williams check back into the game as he did for a young Leonard? That seems unlikely on the surface but not impossible given his physical tools.

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