Lou Williams has done much more than climb up the scoring ranks to become the NBA's all-time leading bench scorer, but he has helped set a precedent that being a bench player is no longer a sign of not being good enough to crack a starting spot. The LA Clippers guard has harnessed his role over time, one he first had to take with Hall of Famer Allen Iverson ahead of him on the depth chart:

“[Iverson] was the reason I ended up coming off the bench,” Williams told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “When he came back to Philly, I was in a really good run and I ended up getting hurt when he came in. He got the starting spot. That kind of solidified me as a role player. But for him, he’s a Hall of Fame guy, an MVP-caliber guy, I wouldn’t expect him to accept a bench role like that.”

Williams initially had to be a spark plug behind Iverson, who led the league in minutes per game for an NBA-record seven seasons. After Iverson's departure to the Denver Nuggets and consequent return after failed stints in Detroit and Memphis, Lou Will's untimely injury had him once again watching from the sidelines and resuming the season as a backup, with Iverson getting his swan song in the City of Brotherly Love.

Yet Williams has fully embraced the importance of being part of the second unit and the task that comes with it, which is something that ultimately saved his career as an NBA pro:

Article Continues Below
More Clippers News
image thumbnail
Clippers trade proposal lands Jrue Holiday from CelticsJedd Pagaduan ·
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) reacts after forward Kawhi Leonard (2) scores three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
LA Clippers’ 3 best trades using No. 30 pick in 2025 NBA DraftRohan Brahmbhatt ·
Feb 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
NBA rumors: LeBron James, James Harden potential free agency departures unlikelyZachary Draves ·
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) controls the ball while LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) defends during the second half at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Clippers eyeing Jrue Holiday trade after past loss to CelticsDaniel Donabedian ·
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) controls the ball as he is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) during the first half at the Spectrum Center.
NBA rumors: Lonzo Ball isn’t only 1 who wants to see LaMelo Ball trade to ClippersScotty White ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives to the basket as LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: How Kyrie Irving will impact James Harden’s next Clippers contractDavid Yapkowitz ·

“I probably would have been done, to be honest with you, if I didn’t accept a reserve role,” said Williams. “I would have been done because I would have been chasing something for someone else that probably wasn’t for me. I had to embrace what was for me and my career and go get it.”

Only 30 players are guaranteed a starting point guard spot in the league. Due to his height at 6-foot-1, playing a full-time role as a shooting guard was a mirage he was able to watch the 6-foot Iverson accomplish throughout the bulk of his career.

Thanks to his acceptance of that role, Lou Williams has now carved a rather unique place in the pantheon of reserve players.