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Diahuebs 1 Juli 2021

Sweet Lou: Williams shines filling in for injured Trae Young

was acquired by the Hawks at a championship run. I was that easily could’ve panicked
the trade deadline. focused solely on that. But when everyone learned that
once I was able to get around Young couldn’t play.
Long one of the NBA’s best these guys, get around the or-
players off the bench (he’s a ganization, get a good feel for “He gives us another level
three-time Sixth Man of the what’s going on around here, of confidence in the locker
Year), Williams started for the I felt like there could be some room,” said Bogdan Bogda-
first time in the 87th postsea- great potential here.” novic, who broke out of his
son game of his career. series-long long slump with
Young, who has been a break- 20 points. “To play the game
“I haven’t been able to enjoy out star of the Hawks’ im- with him is so easy. Commu-
the moment,” he said. “I’m probable postseason run, was nicating with him is so easy.
stuck in it. I just want to ride injured in a freak accident in He’s been in the league so
this thing until the wheels fall Game 3. While turning to run long. He’s seen everything.
off.” up court, he stepped on a ref- He knows how to make the
eree’s foot along the sideline game easier for everyone.”
Williams never could’ve and twisted his right ankle.
(AP) — Lou Williams was the locker room, I can prom- imagined being in this posi- The Hawks aren’t sure Young
on the training table when ise you that,” Williams said tion after the Los Angeles After being diagnosed with will be able to play Thursday
his coach walked up to de- with a wry smile. ”That was Clippers dealt him to Atlanta a bone bruise, Young had night, when the series returns
liver some rather startling the extent of our conversa- for Rajon Rondo. hoped to return for Game to Milwaukee for Game 5.
news. tion, and then we had to get 4. The Hawks held off until Coach Nate McMillan said
ready for the game.” Williams was stunned by the about an hour before game it will likely be a game-time
Atlanta Hawks star Trae trade and briefly considered time before ruling out their decision.
Young would not be able to Boy, was he ready. retirement, even though he best player.
play Game 4 of the Eastern grew up in suburban Atlanta If Williams gets the call for
Conference finals because of Williams stepped into and had played for the Hawks Williams made sure they his second playoff start, he’ll
an injury. Young’s enormous shoes and from 2012-14. He was com- didn’t miss him a bit. be ready.
guided the Hawks to a 110- fortable with the Clippers
Williams would be getting 88 rout of the Milwaukee and considered himself a big “Lou is always the same. Hey, he’s already gone much
the first playoff start of his Bucks, evening the Eastern part of their championship He’s always even-keeled, farther than he ever could
long career. Conference final at two wins drive. steady Lou,” teammate Kevin have expected.
apiece Tuesday night. Huerter said. “He’s kind of a
“OK,” he replied. Now, he’s two wins away legend. He just has this way “Did I look ahead and say we
Williams led the way with from the NBA Finals with about him. ... He comes in were going to be a champion-
That’s it. 21 points on 7-of-9 shoot- the Hawks. here and drops 21 like he’s ship contender from day one”
ing, dished out eight assists been playing 40 minutes the Williams asked rhetorically.
No big deal. and had just one turnover in “This wasn’t a team I was whole playoffs.” “Probably not. But we’re two
35 minutes of playing time paying attention to,” Williams wins away (from the Finals)
“It’s not like a ‘Remember — his most extensive outing conceded. “With the Clip- Indeed, Williams brought a like everybody else. You’ve
The Titans’ thing happens in since the 34-year-old guard pers, we were on the hunt for sense of calm to a young team got to feel good about it.”

Saints' Ramczyk agrees to 5-year, $96M extension

(AP) — Saints right tackle While the 6-foot-6, school and asked if I could season, New Orleans enters czyk said. “We have a really
Ryan Ramczyk, who once 314-pound Ramczyk did not play some football again.” training camp with a quar- solid group of guys here.”
quit football during col- discuss specifics about finan- terback competition between
lege to pursue a career in cial terms, he acknowledged That hometown school was 2020 backups Jameis Win- But the Saints also still have
welding, has agreed to a that it represented one of the Wisconsin-Stevens Point, ston and Taysom Hill. several prominent players on
five-year contract exten- most lucrative contracts yet where Ramczyk played two both sides of the ball with un-
sion making him one of for an NFL right tackle. seasons before transferring Ramczyk’s extension also certain futures beyond 2021.
the highest-paid offensive to Wisconsin and blossoming continues a Saints pattern
linemen in the NFL. “Obviously, it’s awesome. into a bona fide pro prospect of investing considerably in Armstead, now entering his
But at the end of the day, I’m in 2016. those who block for an of- ninth season, is scheduled to
“It’s a huge relief,” Ramczyk going to go out and do what fense that has ranked among become a free agent next sea-
said on a video conference I always do,” Ramczyk said. The 27-year-old has now the NFL’s most prolific since son.
call hosted by the Saints after “I’m still me. I’m still go- started 63 regular-season coach Sean Payton took over
he’d agreed to his new con- ing to be the same guy, same games in his four NFL sea- in 2006. The Saints have placed their
tract. “Extremely happy with work ethic.” sons. franchise tag for this season
how everything played out.” Of the Saints’ five projected on safety Marcus Williams, a
Ramczyk was a late first- Extending Ramczyk’s deal 2021 starting offensive line- second-round pick in 2017,
The new contract for the round draft choice out of was among New Orleans’ men, three are first-round and have until July 15 to
2019 All-Pro selection is Wisconsin in 2017, five years offseason priorities because draft choices, including An- reach a long-term extension
worth up to $96 million, a after he quit football at Divi- he was scheduled to become drus Peat (2015) and Cesar with him.
person with knowledge of sion II Winona State and en- an unrestricted free agent Ruiz (2020). Center Erik
the situation said. rolled at Mid-State Technical next year. McCoy was a second-round- Marshon Lattimore, the
College with intentions of er in 2019. Left tackle Terron club’s first of two first-round
The person spoke to The As- becoming a welder. The deal helps the Saints se- Armstead was a third-round selections in 2017, is entering
sociated Press on Wednesday cure one of their top block- find out of Arkansas-Pine his final season under con-
because financial terms have “I was taking the classes to go ers for the long term at a time Bluff in 2013, who three tract in a year when New Or-
not been announced. The into it, but I took that year off when they are making a tran- years later signed a five-year, leans has seen depth at that
person said the extension, and I just missed the game sition at quarterback. $65 million extension. position thinned by the loss
which was first reported by of football,” Ramczyk re- of one starting cornerback
ESPN, guarantees Ramczyk called. “Ultimately, that had With Drew Brees, the NFL’s “They’ve dedicated a lot of — Janoris Jenkins — in free
$60 million. more pull on me and I went all-time leader in yards pass- resources to the offensive agency.
back to my hometown D-III ing, having retired after last line, so it means a lot,” Ram-