For those that are paying attention, Mo Williams is now wearing a different number for the Cleveland Cavaliers then he did during his first go-around with the team. During that first stint with the Cavs he wore #2, which has since been occupied by Kyrie Irving, perhaps you’ve heard of him? And his actual favorite #25 is retired thanks to Mark Price, hopefully you’ve heard of him.
So when Mo says the choice to wear #52 is simply because “it’s 25 backwards,” its pretty easy to believe. But I think the real reason is that it represents the night he shocked the world.
52 points. Yeah you read that right, 52 points were scored by Mo Williams on this day one year ago. And at this moment the Cavaliers have four players who are part of the 50+ points club (LeBron, Kyrie, Kevin Love and Mo). And just like K.Love, Williams achieved his career-high while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On a cold night in Indianapolis, Mo Williams heated things up inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse and helped break the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 15-game losing streak. He is also in the Timberwolves record book for the franchise record for the most points scored in a single game, ironically beating Love’s 50. Not much was expected out of Williams or the ‘Wolves that night one year ago. But somehow laced up in a pair of Nike Zoom Run The One’s something clicked for Williams. He made 19 of 33 shot attempts including going 6-11 from beyond the arc. He also added in seven dimes and four boards to his stat line, leading the Timberwolves to a 110-101 victory.
So 52 is an important number to Williams’ basketball career now and it probably won’t change unless, for some unlikely chance, he goes off again (probably not). But I’m pretty sure he’s glad to be back with the LeBron in Cleveland now, even if it means he won’t have another 50+ point night. The Timberwolves didn’t seem to care much as less than a one month later he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Ouch.
