After Robert Williams' huge night vs. Nets, what's next for Celtics big man?

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/after-robert-williams-huge-night-vs-nets-whats-next-celtics-big-man



After Robert Williams' huge night vs. Nets, what's next for Celtics big man?



By Chris Forsberg August 06, 2020 1:02 AM



We suspect a significant spike in attendance at our next Robert Williams Fan Club meeting after Wednesday night’s performance. Please be sure to check the updated seating assignment for all those attempting to re-board the now socially-distanced Timelord hype train.

The 22-year-old Williams offered a firm reminder of his potential by erupting for a career-best 18 points on 7-of-7 shooting with five rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and a steal in a breezy win over the Brooklyn Nets. Williams was plus-21 over nearly 19 minutes of floor time, which included some surprising first-quarter burn.

Our senior leadership committee will be tasked with determining whether this was Williams’ best game of his NBA career. A November 2019 visit to San Antonio (11 points on 5-of-5 shooting, 7 rebounds, 6 blocks) finally has a challenger for that crown.

Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Raptors, which begins Friday at 8 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live followed by tip-off at 9 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.

What we saw Wednesday was the sort of performance that escaped Williams in Boston’s three scrimmages. It’s the sort of performance that none of Boston’s younger players have showcased inside the bubble. Williams and the younger players have rarely left coach Brad Stevens with any reason to ponder a more consistent role.

But Wednesday’s performance will make Stevens think a bit harder about what Williams can offer this team moving forward.

We’ll caution membership from getting too excited about the possibilities. Stevens will not overreact to one performance, particularly not against a Nets team that lacked the energy from its upset over the Bucks the night before. Williams must build off this outing if Stevens is to call on him when the games really matter.

To put it another way, we wouldn’t be surprised if Williams played only sparingly against Toronto on Friday night. But given that none of Boston’s youngest players have stated a strong case for increased playing time entering Wednesday’s game, Williams becomes the first one to submit an application that Stevens must consider (and rookie Romeo Langford, with his continued solid wing defense, has done the same).

Williams did typical Williams things. His first six makes were all at the rim, including a pair of alley-oop finishes (most notably a particularly sexy set play in which Gordon Hayward sprung Williams with a backside screen and Marcus Smart delivered a long-distance lob). Williams capped his night with a 20-foot jumper, showcasing newfound range in a late-clock situation.

His blocks were relatively quiet, at least by his volleyball-spike standards. Williams did come rushing with help to swat a Joe Harris offering across the court, then practically leaped over Langford to swat a Dzanan Musa layup attempt.

Williams played with quick hands on the defensive end. He showcased his passing skills with an ability to spray the ball to cutters and open shooters on the perimeter.

But it’s all about building off a big night. Two games after his big performance in San Antonio, Williams experienced ankle soreness and sat out. He never generated momentum, and injuries have been a primary culprit early in his NBA career. Hip issues in December forced him to the sidelines for three months.

Williams says he’s healthy now and he needs to keep making Stevens think. He has to dominate outside of game action, whether that’s putting in extra work on off days or shining in practices.

The potential is so obviously there. It’s why none of us with real estate on Timelord Island are willing to sell our properties. Williams has the potential to be an X-factor in the postseason. Or he might not play at all. It all comes down to whether he shows enough now for Stevens to trust him, especially on the defensive end.

Williams doesn’t have to be perfect like his shooting chart on Wednesday. But he has to be consistent. But if he keeps maximizing his opportunities, more chances will follow.


bob


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it would be GREAT if he can keep playing at that level and against better teams.

He should be playing regardless, we have no real starting center, Theis is a 4 doing as good a job as possible, we all know Kantor. Opposing centers have been killing us as we make the Steven Adam's look like all stars. We may or may not win it all, but our bench and bigs are weak, might as well play RWill now, sink or swim so he gets the experience now and can further build to next season. Shame to have a guy like that not play, when we need a guy like that so bad....

Brad just needs to run plays for him. He also seems to have a real knack for setting screens that actually work to free guys up for open looks. He seems to use a lot of diagonal positioning on his screens. Very effective.

Defensively he is not quite there yet as he still is uncertain at times on whether to play up or play back. I am a big believer in repetition. He'll need a lot more reps. Sometimes I forget that this is just year two for him minus a lot of missed games due to injury.

dboss wrote:Brad just needs to run plays for him.  He also seems to have a real knack for setting screens that actually work to free guys up for open looks.  He seems to use a lot of diagonal positioning on his screens.  Very effective.
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That and the knack for passing makes me hopeful that The Timelord could be more than a freakishly gifted athlete and develop into an effective basketball player.

bob


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Shamrock1000 wrote:

dboss wrote:Brad just needs to run plays for him.  He also seems to have a real knack for setting screens that actually work to free guys up for open looks.  He seems to use a lot of diagonal positioning on his screens.  Very effective.
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That and the knack for passing makes me hopeful that The Timelord could be more than a freakishly gifted athlete and develop into an effective basketball player.

True. He passes very well

His numbers and +/- have been freakishly great, like his athleticism. Teams have to be wary of his lobs now, that can only make life easier for everybody. Keep on giving him 15 minutes a game, hes earned that....keep on tossing that ball up there

He is a very efficient scorer.

Brad has 3 more games to get his playoff rotation set.

This may be harder than I thought.  Wanamaker has been a top 7 through 5 games while averaging 10 PPG and only 1 TO.  Plus he has recorded 7 steals in 5 games.  He's 17-31 from the field (58%) and 3-8 from deep (37.55)  He's 11-12 from the line (91.7)

Our center rotation took a significant turn for the good because Robert Williams has played really good and seems to understand how the offense runs.   Kanter did not play much in the last game.  Grant Williams has been a complete non-factor through 5 games.

Semi has been more productive than Grant and his playoff experience gives him the edge.

So the question I have is about RWIII over Kanter.  Kanter brings bulk to the room and Robert brings the vaulted ceiling.  Matching up with the more physical center in the post area it is probably best to go with Kanter but if you need more quickness and length Williams looks like the better option.  I think Brad could very well use both of them  game to game.  One may see more minutes than the other depending on matchups and how they are playing.  That puts Williams and/or Rob in our top 8/9/10 man rotation.  Williams does seem like a better fit playing up top because he screens well and makes quick decisions in passing the ball.  He now looks like a viable screen and roll center that finishes at the rim because of his length and vertical presence.

I thought maybe Langford would be a guy to maybe get an uptick in playing time especially when GH heads home but now I am not so sure.  He still has a awful looking outside shot and he simply does not have enough reps to be counted on.

When GH leaves the bubble I expect that Wanamaker and Semi will play more minutes. Smart will move into the starting lineup and when Brad takes Tatum out as he usually does first, Semi will slide into the PF spot and JB will move to SF. with MS at the 2.

Wanamaker will be the first guard off the bench when GH departs.

Walker, Tatum, Hayward, Brown, Theis, Smart, Wanamaker, Semi, Kanter and RWIII

That's a 10 man rotation with GH and 9 without.  In absence of a blowout game I do not expect to see the bottom 3rd of our roster get any playing time.

Thoughts?  Please share.

100% agree dboss, but in some situations I see Romeo getting court time for his D.

worcester wrote:100% agree dboss, but in some situations I see Romeo getting court time for his D.

True.  I can at least see some spot duty where he can come in and defend the wing position.  Every  bit helps

Another glimmer thats developing before our eyes is his ability to hit the 12-15 ft jumper and his FT's. That makes me giddy that the kid works and works, hopefully this little window is real and he won't be a liability like so many talented centers that you just couldn't trust at crunch time.

Everything is pointing to the deployment of a three headed center.  

RWIII has been the best 9-17 guy on the team during the restart.  I think he has established himself as a rotation guy for the playoffs.

His play adds an offensive element that we really did not have.  He plays in the clouds and he is starting to look very comfortable moving without the ball to find space where he can get the ball and score.  I like it.  I hope he continues to progress rapidly.

Wanamaker has been solid as has Kanter.  Semi has been good.  He has shot 10-23 from deep for 43%.

Grant Williams has experience a reduction in his playing time and he has not been particularly productive.  I would bet that he has fallen out of the rotation and may only see spot minutes.  Makes not sense to play him at center with RW showing his stuff.  And he has not played as well as Semi.

The shooter off the bench has not emerged.  The Celtics have still managed to score a lot of points because our starters have all played well and our bench led by Smart along with Brad, Enes and RW have held their own.