CHICAGO — By all indications, Mikey Williams is happy at Converge, where he is generously compensated and treated like a star.
In fact, while the PBA is currently on a 53-day break, he was allowed to go home to Los Angeles for a 14-day rest.
However, things are not so swanky on the court.
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After two conferences with the FiberXers, Williams has yet to reignite the spark that made him a two-time PBA champion and two-time PBA Finals MVP.
Through eight games (ninth game stats are unavailable) in the paused PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, Williams is averaging only 12 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
The drop-off in shooting is worrisome, if not alarming.
Just 44.7 percent overall including a low 13.3 percent from three (4-of-30).
WHAT WENT WRONG?
There are several potential culprits to the sharp decline in the production and efficiency of Williams, who left TNT following a contract dispute in April 2023 before signing with Converge in March of this year.
Rust. Sporadic playing time. Difficulty adjusting to Converge’s system.
Whatever it is, the unexpectedly low output from one of the league’s biggest stars in recent years is not triggering enthusiasm for extension talks when his contract expires this December.
Depending on how the 6-foot-2 gunner performs moving forward, including in the all-Filipino conference, the temperature could still change.
WAIT AND SEE.
To be clear, Converge isn’t eager to part with Williams, but two obstacles stand in the way of a long-term relationship.
Mikey just turned 34. And he makes north of $22,000 a month including perks and bonuses.
Converge isn’t eager to trade him, either. But I was told the FiberXers will listen if a great proposal comes along.
How about a return to TNT?
Well, that would be awkward. Like eating sushi with a fork.
And while the Williams-TNT relationship isn’t exactly a lovefest, Mikey’s camp told me “he’s cool with coach Chot Reyes” and that he could thrive under the roof of familiar faces.
If France and Germany could reconcile after bloody, bitter wars, maybe Mikey and the Tropang 5G could patch things up, too.
I’ve seen stranger things happen in the PBA.
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