'He's a Problem': Draymond Green Praises OKC's Jalen Williams

Although much of the discussion surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder's success this season pertains to the MVP-caliber play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or rookie Chet Holmgren, a certain player nicknamed "JDub" is sneakily having as much of an impact as anyone. 

Sophomore forward Jalen Williams has been one of the key pieces involved in Oklahoma City's rebuild, and after coming second in Rookie of the Year voting last season, he is taking the next step into borderline All-Star material. 

Williams is averaging 18.6 points, 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game on 54.8% shooting from the field and an impressive 45% from three this season. He's up 4.5 points from last season, and has upped his efficiency in all areas.

His play has even captured the attention of Golden State Warriors veteran and multi-time NBA Champion Draymond Green, one of the greatest defenders of his era.

"Jalen Williams, the guard from Santa Clara, [is] special," Green said on The Draymond Green Show. "Dude can shoot, he can pass, he can handle, he can finish, he can defend, he has great size so he can guard multiple positions, he's athletic, he's great in the pick-and-roll."

"Over or under two years before he's an All-Star himself...I'm going to take the under," Green said. "He is a problem."

That's a lot of praise from a future NBA Hall of Famer in all likelihood, and in the games both forwards have dueled each other, Williams has clearly left a solid impression on Green. 

Williams can in fact do it all. Name any skillset and he probably has it, and he contributes in that area to the Thunder on any given night. He's made strides in his game in just a year's time, improving in every area to now becoming one of the best three players in Oklahoma City without question.

There is a legitimate case to be made for Williams to receive an All-Star selection this season, especially considering the Thunder's No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. 

It may not be this season in an incredibly competitive time to be a frontcourt player in the West, but if Oklahoma City finds itself still with a No. 2 seeding position by the time the All-Star break rolls around, it should receive two All-Star selections.

That second selection may be Holmgren rather than Williams, but if the Santa Clara product can continue to up his production in the coming weeks, he may insert himself further into the discussion.

Ultimately winning likely matters more to the Thunder roster than accolades, so whatever the result may be, Williams and company are prepared to make the next step forward into the playoffs in April.

And as Green alluded to, it'll be a problem for opposing teams.

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