I don't know that Lou is a great passer or not (How does one even quantify that?) - but my feeling is that Lou isn't an 'instinctual' passing...it's not natural for Lou to pass the ball...even in 'passing' situations as much as it is for him to try and create shots...not talking about the quality of the pass - just knowing when you should pass...Lou always struck me as passing as a last resort more than anything else, but that's just a personal perception, no idea how one would even distinguish that.
That SI column has some commentary about running the Princeton offense, how you don't need a 'point guard' per se and how Lou doesn't even touch the ball much we'll see...
I don't know what a natural passer means. I think being good point guard isn't something that's instinctual, but rather a learned behavior that develops. I blame the coaching and the players in front of Louis on the depth chart for this perception that he "can't play the point". Without a structured offense, or set plays so that each player knows where the other is going to be, as least at the start, that you can't develop a point guard. Face it, it is easier (provided you have the skill) to take your man off the dribble to score yourself, rather than set up a team-mate. Which is what Iverson has always done, which is why no one considers him a point!
Eddie Jordan is bringing a new system to the Sixers, a planned offense with variations and options built in, so that all the players know where they're supposed to be and where they're supposed to go as the play unfolds. It seems pretty obvious to have an offense like that, but this is something quite new for the Sixers! Holding players accountable for where they go on the floor during an offensive set is a completely new concept for these guys! Louis deserves some time to learn this before he's expected to be fluent in it.
Wiliams never had the opportunity to learn to be a passer. Outside of a few lobs to Iguodala or Young the Sixers were never big on assists. Miller was never a good passing point guard, that isn't his game either. Cheeks played with lots of great individual players who knew how to create space for themselves to operate, you can't freelance that way with young players who don't know the game.
Once Williams realizes how being a facilitator will enable the Sixers to get easy baskets in a half-court set, we'll forget about all this nonsense about being a good passer. He will know, because he will be taught, where to go on the floor, where to look, and who to pass to based on what the opposing teams defense does. This is what the Princeton offense is all about: generating good shot opportunities. Once he understands how to help his team-mates by passing in a non-break situation, he'll become an adequate point guard. He has a lot to learn, but now he has the opportunity. As the coach and the other players are now (finally!) all on board. Even Sam Dalembert will get touches in productive situations!
If the Sixers can score off of set-plays against another team's set defense, they will have made a significant step forward as a basketball team. They are already quicker than most of the teams they face, and a better defensive team (especially now that Miller isn't there playing matador defense on the other team's point!) if they start playing smarter on offense it will put enormous pressure on the other team to perform, in order to keep pace. There are only a handful of teams in the NBA that can stay with them, just the few who execute their offense successfully. In the East there are only a handful of teams that you can say that about.
If that occurs they'll get plenty of respect!
