Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Lou Williams has won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award three times. It comes as no surprise, then, that he has earned the nickname “Underground GOAT.”
Williams explained the origin of the nickname following his 32-point performance for the Clippers' against the Knicks on Sunday afternoon, stating the nickname stems from a sense of respect from peers around the league.
Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) on the meaning of his nickname, the Underground GOAT after putting up 32 points – “I’m the GOAT next to all of the superstars. I’m your favorite player’s favorite player.”#Clippers pic.twitter.com/aqQ4O04qsO
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 5, 2020
The reference also stems from the July issue of SLAM Magazine, which also labeled him the Underground GOAT with the caption “Lou Williams is your favorite player's favorite player.” The Clippers guard graced the cover of said issue (via SLAM):
Lou Williams is somehow both underappreciated and respected. He’s arrogant and humble. He’s young and old. He’s super laid-back and he’s an assassin.
He lives in a quiet town and throws parties so big they inspire hit rap songs. He makes his own music and doesn’t care to promote it much.
He never starts and is always one of the best basketball players in a game. He won’t go unnoticed and he won’t say a word. He does things his way and is the ultimate teammate. He keeps to himself and he’s cool with every celebrity you know.
He hasn’t been an All-Star and he regularly puts up All-Star numbers. He writes his name in record books and could not give a shit about his legacy.
The story of Lou Will can be broken down into what seems like a million contradictions, but they’re not. They all make perfect sense for the Underground GOAT.
Williams is having yet another prolific year as a staple of the Clippers' bench. He is averaging 19.2 points, 6.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc. Williams is also playing over 30 minutes per game, the second-highest average of his career.
The “Underground GOAT” might not have the kind of star power possessed by teammates like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but he is one of the most respected players in basketball all the same.
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