More Robert Williams Would Help The Struggling Boston Celtics

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2021/02/24/more-robert-williams-would-help-the-struggling-boston-celtics/?sh=2010d80450f2



More Robert Williams Would Help The Struggling Boston Celtics



Chris GrenhamContributor
SportsMoney




Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion ... [+] ASSOCIATED PRESS



There is only so much an opposing team can do when facing Luka Doncic. Oftentimes, well-executed defensive coverages aren’t enough to stop the 21-year-old All-Star, and that was the case Tuesday night in Dallas. Doncic hit two 3-pointers in the final 16 seconds to hand the Celtics their seventh loss in 10 games, pushing Boston’s record to 15-16.

The Celtics’ fourth-quarter issues have headlined their mediocre play over the last few weeks, and Tuesday’s final frame began in the ugly fashion that has now become routine. Despite the woes, Boston was able to uncharacteristically battle back down the stretch. Thanks to Doncic and a sub-.500 record, that late push will be overshadowed with Boston heading to Atlanta for night two of its latest back-to-back.

So what can the Celtics do to give themselves a boost amid their current slide? This can be said for every game he has missed, but Boston really could have used Marcus Smart on Tuesday night. The Celtics were flat for a majority of the second half, stringing together numerous low-energy possessions on both sides of the ball. Smart’s energy (plus his ball-handling and defensive prowess) likely would have changed that. With little-to-no effective depth at this point, Brad Stevens needs to begin turning to Robert Williams more often.

Williams’ minutes have fluctuated throughout this season for a variety of reasons after missing a chunk of games last year due to a hip injury. The team continues to carefully monitor that issue, which certainly plays a role, but more notable is the logjam Boston has at the center position. Daniel Theis and Tristan Thompson average 9.4 and 7.5 more minutes than Williams, respectively, but Boston would benefit from an eventual decrease in Thompson’s allotment.

With Smart on the shelf, Stevens runs a choppy, two-big starting lineup with Theis and Thompson. If Thompson moves to the bench upon Smart’s return, it could create an even greater minutes jam for Boston’s bigs. Stevens and his staff will have Williams’ hip issue in mind, but getting him on the floor will help the Celtics find some energy and upside when they appear listless more often than not.

Williams’ playing time has been limited throughout his three seasons in Boston, but as he’s improved, he has made much better use of his time on the floor. The 23-year-old has played at least 20 minutes in just five games this season, however that small sample size has shown some nice results. In those five games, Williams is shooting 80.8% from the floor, averaging nine points, 10 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.4 blocks and 2.2 steals. His per-36 minute stats are eye-opening as well, posting 14.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 2.3 steals. Yes, he could be more disciplined and is good for a bad pass or two, but his upside outweighs those mistakes right now. A rim-running shot-blocker is someone Boston needs to utilize as much as possible, especially amid struggles where energy seems to be at an all-time low.

This isn’t to say Thompson has been bad, but he hasn’t given Boston enough where you need to play him over the third-year big. It makes sense to progressively peel back his minutes while increasing Williams’, assuming his hip can handle the added time. Williams is a constant lob-threat and simply provides a change of pace for Boston’s frontcourt. He’s developed some nice on-court chemistry with rookie point guard Payton Pritchard, and that alone provides reason to believe in those bench lineups more than the combinations without him. After dropping 13 of their last 20, this team could use just about any change. Increasing Williams’ minutes would be a good place to start.


Bob
MY NOTE:  The Time Lord is only averaging 15.4mpg.  You cannot, reasonably, extrapolate his numbers at his current playing time out to 30mpg, they almost certainly would decline a bit due to fatigue and/or to the improved competition he'd be facing with all those extra minutes.  However, as a starting point. he's averaging 6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in those 15 minutes.  He's shooting 72.3% from the field.  If we just increase his minutes from 15.4 to 20.6 mpg, not terribly many more and therefore could be reasonable, then his numbers would extrapolate out to 8.4ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.88bpg.  Those are very nice numbers for a 20mpg rotation player.  His offensive rating is 133 (how many points the team scores when he is on the floor /100 possessions).  This is not a typo.  His defensive rating (points given up when he is on the floor /100 possessions) is 102, also not a typo.  This is a net rating of +31.  By comparison, Tristan Thompson is playing 22.9mpg (55% more than RWill's 15.4 and 14.5% more than RWill's projected 20mpg).  His numbers are 7.6ppg, 8.3rpg, .4bpg.  Obviously, RWill's projected 20mpg numbers are better in scoring and far better with blocks.  Only on rebounds is Thompson better, and he's not even that if you make the minutes equal.  Thompson's Defrtg and Offrtg are 118 and 111 respectively.  Once again, no comparison to RWill's.

I don't know the real story about RWill's hip, none of us do because we're not on the inside, and Danny plays poker with all things player-related.  We also don't see what Brad and his coaches see everyday.  Nevertheless, Dear Lord, it's Robert Williams' TIME.


.

I don't understand this being a hip issue now. The Popliteal crease is directly behind the knee. Apparently his calf muscle is pinching that nerve and/or his artery there. The hip should not be much involved with this. Actually, he may not really have a medical problem at all. Brad just may not be using him enough. I don't know the real scoop. Maybe medical, maybe not.

Seems that under our old medical staff and trainer players had fewer injuries.

Ed LaCerte, where are you now when we need you?