The turn of the career of Michael Carter-Williams in the NBA will have been unexpected to say the least. After a remarkable introduction which earned him the title of rookie of the year in 2014 in Philly, where he spent two seasons, then another encouraging experience of two years in Milwaukee, the leader will have experienced a slow downfall. The cause ? Injuries mainly, with discreet passages in Chicago, Charlotte, Houston, and finally Orlando, where he had managed to land from 2018 to 2021.
Two ankle operations finally forced the Magic to part with him in February 2022. But the point guard hung on, he came back from his injuries, and Orlando called on him again to end the season. In total he will have played four games in April which allowed him to rediscover the taste of competition and the atmosphere of a locker room, where he now brings his experience with the second youngest workforce in the NBA.
“It was great to come back with the guys, to be surrounded by the franchise. It was a privilege in itself. Like the last two games, to be able to go on the pitch and show what I can do, just play, have fun and use all the work I’ve done to get back on the court… Seeing that it pays a little , it was gratifying,” he rejoiced. “Each player experiences different things during a season. Guys may like their role, some may not. I had the chance to play almost every role in a team. I’m a reliable voice for a lot of guys here. That’s what I try to tell most of them.
A role to play next season?
After a first ankle operation in August 2021, MCW had to go to the pool again for a second operation which had delayed his rehabilitation and therefore his return to the highest level. The struggle was hard, both physically and mentally, but the reward was worth his efforts when Orlando called him back to offer him the end of the season.
“It was difficult. It’s clear that being out of the league and having to do rehab on my ankle after two surgeries was tough. We learn a lot in difficult times. I learned a lot about myself. I learned to enjoy the game more and not take all those days for granted. It’s a lesson in humility to be able to be back in competition.”he added.
Between his last match in April 2021 and his return almost two years later, Michael Carter-Williams was able to observe the good evolution of the group now led by Jamahl Mosley with a young group destined to continue on this path next season. “They have changed a lot. They have matured. Obviously, we are a young team, so this is something we will still have to work on. But we have made a lot of progress between last year and this year”.
It remains to be seen whether the veteran leader will still be part of the resumption. As a bonus, Orlando had offered him an optional contract year for 2023-2024 at just over three million dollars. The Florida franchise has until June 29 to activate it or not.
| Michael Carter-Williams | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2013-14 | PHL | 70 | 35 | 40.5 | 26.4 | 70.3 | 1.4 | 4.8 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 16.7 |
| 2014-15* | All Teams | 66 | 33 | 39.6 | 23.5 | 69.4 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 6.7 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 14.6 |
| 2014-15* | PHL | 41 | 34 | 38.0 | 25.6 | 64.3 | 1.1 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 7.4 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 4.2 | 0.4 | 15.0 |
| 2014-15* | MIL | 25 | 30 | 42.9 | 14.3 | 78.0 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 5.6 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 14.1 |
| 2015-16 | MIL | 54 | 31 | 45.2 | 27.3 | 65.4 | 0.9 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 11.5 |
| 2016-17 | CHI | 45 | 19 | 36.6 | 23.4 | 75.3 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 6.6 |
| 2017-18 | CHA | 52 | 16 | 33.2 | 23.7 | 82.0 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 4.6 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 28 | 13 | 37.4 | 26.3 | 60.4 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 4.8 |
| 2018-19 * | HOO | 16 | 9 | 41.0 | 36.8 | 46.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 4.3 |
| 2018-19 * | ENT | 12 | 19 | 33.9 | 15.8 | 74.1 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 5.4 |
| 2019-20 | ENT | 45 | 19 | 42.7 | 29.3 | 83.2 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 7.2 |
| 2020-21 | ENT | 31 | 26 | 38.9 | 24.6 | 61.3 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 8.8 |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 4 | 11 | 42.9 | 33.3 | 57.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 4.3 |
| Total | 395 | 25 | 40.2 | 25.6 | 70.5 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 10.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
