Lou Williams is a free spirit. It’s how he played. It’s how he lives his life. For that, he was admired by those around him, looked up to, wasn’t just called the “coolest dude in the world†by DeRozan, but became lyrics in a song by Drake. There is a lot to like about him, his quickness, his shot-making, his carefree ways of looking at the world.
That he had relationships with two women separately but simultaneously — and they were aware of each other — made him an intriguing figure around the team and around the league. When asked about the situation during the season, Williams would not confirm it exists. But when the twin sister of one of his girlfriends began dating another Raptor [Amir], management was alarmed.
Upstairs, there was more than quiet concern about the possible distractions. Williams was maybe the most popular Raptor inside the dressing room: Was he the wrong player, the wrong person, to admire, management asked itself before making a determination.
Williams had impact scoring the ball, but also had impact in whatever influence he had over the roster. Some players wanted to be more like him, more carefree, full of fun, the kind of guy you want to go out with, hang with. Everybody wants a friend like that. But if you’re not Lou Williams and you try to emulate Lou Williams, you might lose a little of yourself in the process.
And the Raptors, having lost four straight to Washington in a most unhappy way, don’t want to lose this way ever again.
