Derrick Williams is happy to bring some excitement to Panathinaikos' locker room / News - Basketnews.com

Derrick Williams, Panathinaikos' MVP in the Greens' win over Virtus Bologna, talks to BasketNews about the reasons for his team's struggles in the season, and the feeling he experiences playing at OAKA.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

No, Derrick Williams didn't lose his voice at OAKA on Wednesday night, as he would have us believe. Or, if he actually did, it was only for a few minutes after he hit the buzzer-beating three-pointer that made it 67-62 at the end of the third quarter.

Player of the Game EFF 30 Derrick Williams Points 26 Accuracy 10-15 Rebounds 8 Assists 1

Panathinaikos Athens needed a leader on the court when the going was getting tough against Virtus Segrafredo Bologna, and the former NBA player promptly responded to the task.

D-Will went on to make several more big shots, including the biggest of them all, off a Paris Lee extra pass, that allowed his team to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Panathinaikos would have probably stood no chance of winning had Mam Jaiteh finished the deal with that layup that he ended up missing with 30 seconds left to play and Virtus leading by two. But the French big man didn't make it, and Williams got the chance he wanted to become the hero for the home side.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

It's no secret that Williams is having his career-best season dressed in green. So far, his numbers are here to tell the whole truth about his contribution - 15.6 points on a staggering 45.5% three-point shooting and a poor 65% free-throw shooting, which doesn't ruin a good story made even better by Williams' 4.8 rebounds and 15.1 in PIR.

It's pretty clear that Williams feeds off the crowd's energy. His numbers prove that he performs much better when at home.

He averages 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds on 58% 3PT shooting, and 26.8 in PIR in the games held at OAKA. By comparison, he scores 10.0 points, grabs 3.5 rebounds, and shoots 29% from distance in away games. That's quite a disparity.

In PAO's win over the 2022 EuroCup winners, the second pick in the 2011 NBA Draft approached his EuroLeague all-time scoring high, which was recorded in the same arena. Only this time, he scored 26 points on 5/7 2PT, 5/8 3PT, 1/2 FT, and grabbed 8 rebounds as Panathinaikos needed overtime to overcome Sergio Scariolo's squad.

Derrick Williams

MIN:30.73PTS:15.56 (53.28%)REB:4.78As:1.44ST:0.56BL:0TO:1.44GM:9ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

"It feels good to win. My points just came with it. Stats don't matter if you don't win," Williams told BasketNews after the game.

"It feels good to see the excitement in the locker room. It was much different last week after the loss to Fenerbahce."

That's an obvious observation to make. The Greeks suffered a 77-107 blowout at the hands of the EuroLeague leaders. It was the third-worst loss in PAO's history in the competition. To add injury to insult, the six-time continental champs saw their fans boo them once again after the team went off on the wrong foot in another home game.

Panathinaikos have somewhat grown accustomed to slow starts. At the end of the first quarter, they were down by 16 vs. AS Monaco, by 15 vs. Partizan and by 9 (12-21) vs. Virtus. Even in the game they ended up winning easily against Baskonia, the guests were up by 5 (43-38) at the half-time break.

Williams admits he doesn't have an explanation for it.

"I think we all know that for some reason we're starting slow in the first quarter," he says.

"We're trying to figure out what's going on instead of just attacking both sides, offensively and defensively. That comes with time.

It's been nine EuroLeague games, and some teams start slower than others. We're going to figure it out eventually, it's not going to stay like that forever."

The 31-year-old forward is hopeful that Panathinaikos can be better in their next games. The Greens were missing starting point guard Nate Wolters, and when he came back, Andrew Andrews was out and Dwayne Bacon entered the picture. Against Virtus, Marius Grigonis was absent due to back pain.

Williams is trying to pin down some reasons for PAO's poor 3-6 record and three home losses so far.

"In the beginning, it was injuries. Bacon's been here for three games, Grigonis has been out, and we're changing lineups almost every game.

The other teams might play small ball, or the coach wants to make some changes. It's a process. Some times start like Fenerbahce, some teams don't. It's on us to figure it out through practice and execution at games," Williams maintains.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

A EuroLeague veteran, now in his 5th season in Europe, Williams knows that his step-up will not be enough for Panathinaikos to become a playoff contender.

"It's not just me stepping up, it's everybody. I'm just a piece of the puzzle. Once we figure it out, we'll be much better," he argues.

Coming home after the game, Williams was surprised to discover one of his neighbors had left a special note on his door.

Nevertheless, it was something to be expected, given the player's connection with the home crowd. Williams garnished his on-court celebrations after every important basket he made exchanging high-fives with court-seat holders.

"Over the years, I've enjoyed playing at OAKA as an opponent. It's been great, and now I'm glad to be a part of it," he explains.

"I love the energy and the passion that the fans have. It's one of those things that, regardless of whether it's a home or an away game, you can feel the energy and the atmosphere."

If Williams keeps bringing the same energy in every game, some more rewarding notes might be on their way to his door.

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