JOHN "HOT ROD" WILLIAMS
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6' 11''
Weight: 215
Born: 8/9/1962, in Sorrento, LA, USA
High School: St. Amant, in St. Amant, LA
College: Tulane
Number: 18
Career Cavalier Stats
Year ....G .MPG .FG FT% 3P% OPG DPG .RPG .APG .BPG .SPG TPG FPG PPG
1986-87 80 33.9 .485 .745 .000 2.77 5.09 7.86 1.9 2.09 0.70 1.74 2.46 14.6
1987-88 77 27.4 .477 .756 .000 2.06 4.51 6.57 1.3 1.88 0.80 1.35 2.64 10.9
1988-89 82 25.9 .509 .748 .250 2.11 3.71 5.82 1.3 1.63 0.90 1.24 2.29 11.6
1989-90 82 33.9 .493 .739 .000 2.68 5.40 8.09 2.0 2.04 1.00 1.74 2.61 16.8
1990-91 43 30.1 .463 .652 .000 2.58 4.16 6.74 2.3 1.60 0.80 1.47 2.93 11.7
1991-92 80 30.4 .503 .752 .000 2.85 4.74 7.59 2.5 2.27 0.80 1.04 2.39 11.9
1992-93 67 30.7 .470 .716 .000 1.90 4.30 6.19 2.3 1.57 0.70 1.73 2.55 11.0
1993-94 76 35.0 .478 .728 .000 2.72 4.84 7.57 2.5 1.71 1.00 1.83 2.88 13.7
1994-95 74 35.7 .452 .685 .200 2.34 4.51 6.85 2.6 1.36 1.10 2.01 2.85 12.6
Totals 661 31.5 .482 .730 .125 2.45 4.61 7.06 2.1 1.82 0.90 1.57 2.60 12.9
FACTS : Hot Rod is the all time leader for the Cavalier's in minutes played, offensive rebounds, and blocked shots. 2nd in defensive rebounds, total rebounds, free throws attempted and made. 5th in steals and points.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS : Being named player of the week during his rookie season. Hot Rod, was also named in the all rookie team. Being the highest paid player in the NBA for a period is what you could consider a highlight. The NBA finals in 1991-92 and 1992-93 were great times for Cleveland basketball. John Williams playing alongside Daugherty, Price and Nance, taking on the might of Michael Jordan. Whilst not being successful in beating the Bulls, Hot Rod and the Cavalier's could take great pride in what they brought to Cleveland.
OVERVIEW : John "Hot Rod" Williams had a rather successful nine season career in Cleveland. Williams career got off to a rocky start after controversial point shaving incident whilst attending Tulane. He was selected in the second round, although being a first round talent because of the incident. Williams went on to sit out his "rookie" campaign before being picked by Cleveland after the charges were dropped in a mistrial, against the NBA's wishes the following season. A successful role of the dice by Harry Weltman.
Hot Rod, was brought into the Cavalier's squad along with rookies Brad Daugherty (1st pick), Ron Harper (8th pick), Mark Price (2nd round) and Johnny Newman (2nd round). Williams immediately made an impact in his rookie season which included an NBA player of the week award, striking a strong partnership with fellow rookie Brad Daugherty. Williams's slight build and long frame helped him form a reputation as a strong shot blocker. This coupled with a steady offensive game, brought on further honours of all NBA rookie team.
After a slightly disappointing season (31-51) the young Cavaliers squad traded for Larry Nance, which gave the Cavaliers the most intimidating frontcourts of Williams, Nance and Daugherty. This mixed with Harper, Price, rookie Kevin Johnson, Dell Curry, Craig Ehlo, Tyrone Corbin, Phil Hubbard (#19 Player Countdown) and Mark West gave the Cavaliers a young and exciting basketball team. The addition of Nance brought less oppotunities for Hot Rod in his 2nd season. However the team improved by 11 wins and placed 4th in the East.
This trend continued next season with Harper, Price, Daughery and Nance being the first options. Williams took at back seat role, but proved to be very efficient. He helped push Cleveland to 2nd in the East with an impressive 57-25 record, but were bundled out in the 1st round. The 1989/90 season proved to be John William's most successful individual season. With Harper gone and Daugherty injured half the season, Williams become a big option on offense and posted career high numbers in points, steals and rebounds. However his success wasn't shared by the team as they regressed to a 42-40 record and another first round exit. Season 90/91 proved distastrous for both Williams and Cleveland. Injuries kept Hot Rod out for a significant period, and Mark Price for the majority. Cleveland crashed and burned to 33 wins.
However the tide turned for the better for the Cavaliers. Hot Rod regained his health along with Price in the following season and the Cavaliers stormed back into the elite. These next two season were to become epic times in Cleveland. Basketball in its purist form, as Hot Rod and the Cavalier's came agonisingly close to the NBA finals. Michael Jordan time and time again proved to be our nemisis, as Chicago knocked us out of the East semifinals.
This was to be the final years that Cleveland challenged. Hot Rod was to play two more seasons in Cleveland under Mike Fratello which saw Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance fall to injuries and retire. Nance, Daugherty and Ehlo were replaced by Mills, Phills and Hill. Hot Rod and the Cavalier's would return to being first round fodder.
John "Hot Rod" Williams final four season were to be played out in Phoenix and Dallas. He along with Mark Price, were traded away to remove the last pieces of the Cavalier's finest seasons in a big roster revamp. After his trade from Cleveland to Phoenix for "Thunder" Dan Majerle, Williams's game regressed, mainly due to injury. He retired in in 1998-99 after an unsuccesful injury plagued year in Dallas.
WHY AS HIGH AS 13 ? Hot Rod was an integral member of the greatest era in Cleveland basketball. His shot blocking and offensive rebounding were up with the best in the NBA. Playing with such players like Price, Daugherty, Nance and Harper made his role in Cleveland fairly limited for personal achievements. This however should not take away from what he did bring to the floor.
WHY AS LOW AS 13? At the end of the day, John Williams was a role player. He may have had the potential to be a bigger factor here, but with the Cavalier's roster, it was obvious for him to be a fit, his game revolved around others. His game was made easier for him with elite big men Daugherty and Nance, taking great amounts of pressure away.
FINAL THOUGHT : No Cavalier has stood on the court longer then John "Hot Rod" Williams. In his nine season as a Cavalier, he was a true professional on the court. A great athlete before injuries struck with major upside. This enabled him to sign an enormous contract despite his limited role. But hey, Cleveland won alot more games then they lost with Williams on the floor, it's just a shame we had to share it with Jordan come spring.
Previously
#14 Terrell Brandon
#15 Craig Ehlo
#16 Roy Hinson
#17 Bingo Smith
#18 Andre Miller
#19 Phil Hubbard
#20 Tyrone Hill
This post was edited after finding further information on Hot Rod's not so glorious beginnings.
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