Let's talk Robert Williams

[itrsteve]

Is it my imagination, or is Williams the Celtics' most consistent player, by a considerable margin?

I'm on the fence with consistent as the term. I think he's the biggest spark we have with moments of sheer let down being very few and far between. Hell, maybe that's consistent. My picture of that word is an Al Horford or something; no frills, boring, gives you what you need.

Giving the reliability award to Pritchard over all others though.

[Triple M]

His passing was really noticeable last night. We just look better on both ends when he is in. I know he can pass but I'm surprised how crisp they are while also being on the move.

[jmr07019]

Watch on YouTube

Semi's reaction to Rob's dunk at the 38 second mark is great

[djFan71]

His ability to finish even the worst lobs is impressive. I think it was PP that threw him one last night that he one handed over Zubac undercutting him and he still just kissed it off the board and put it in. Was crazy impressive to me.

[cl2117]

I would go nuts if we could just get one 30 minute game from him. I'm 100% on board with managing the hip is that's what this is all about, but just for the Timelord fangirl in my I'd love to see those per 36 numbers come to life in a legit game.

The only thing keeping him from averaging mind boggling numbers on that kind of minutes is his propensity to foul and I think if he learns to play with fouls, he stays grounded more and his game just gets even better on the defensive end. He's such a beast.

[Fencer reregistered]

His ability to finish even the worst lobs is impressive. I think it was PP that threw him one last night that he one handed over Zubac undercutting him and he still just kissed it off the board and put it in. Was crazy impressive to me.

That's a real difference between him and somebody who's merely a good rim-runner.

[zoyathedestroya]

https://www.thestepien.com/robert-williams/

The strengths and weaknesses on the draft profile above seem on point hehe, although we've seen some improvements on his weaknesses and an enhancement of his strengths.

Does he have huge hands? I'm amazed how he can catch and control the ball with one hand while airborne.

[Fencer reregistered]

First 1:31 is about Rob. There's also another quick mention that Rob's lob-catching has helped the bench group, and then a general answer about all three centers at the end, including the pros/cons of playing Rob vs. a smallball lineup.

Watch on YouTube

[Fencer reregistered]

I was a big Knicks fan growing up in NY in the eighties and Timelord is starting to give me that Marcus Camby feel when he would come off the bench for Ewing and just energize the team with his activity and athleticism.

I also grew up in NY, and I do remember Camby being so skinny yet may have been the best offensive rebounder despite his frame. That and his rim protection was elite. Good comparison.

Scal has now picked up that comparison too.

But I think Rob is better on offense.

Obviously, on defense DPOY Camby is basically Rob's ceiling.

[playa-hater]

I was a big Knicks fan growing up in NY in the eighties and Timelord is starting to give me that Marcus Camby feel when he would come off the bench for Ewing and just energize the team with his activity and athleticism.

I also grew up in NY, and I do remember Camby being so skinny yet may have been the best offensive rebounder despite his frame. That and his rim protection was elite. Good comparison.

Scal has now picked up that comparison too.

But I think Rob is better on offense.

Obviously, on defense DPOY Camby is basically Rob's ceiling.

well in fairness to Rob, Camby didn't have to leave the Rim area as much on defense like in today's game. I'll take either one though.

[Fencer reregistered]

I also grew up in NY, and I do remember Camby being so skinny yet may have been the best offensive rebounder despite his frame. That and his rim protection was elite. Good comparison.

Scal has now picked up that comparison too.

But I think Rob is better on offense.

Obviously, on defense DPOY Camby is basically Rob's ceiling.

well in fairness to Rob, Camby didn't have to leave the Rim area as much on defense like in today's game. I'll take either one though.

To be better than "just" DPOY, you need to be otherworldly at something other than leaping. That's all I meant by saying DPOY was Rob's ceiling.

[Fencer reregistered]

Per Basketball Reference, Rob and TT and 6th and 7th in the league respectively in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.

Enes, by the way, is 3rd.

Rob is also 5th at blocks/36.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2021_per_minute.html

[cl2117]

Where does Rob rank in terms of C's around the league if he could consistently play 30 mins a game? He's Gobert/Capela level definitely.

Per 36: 16 pts/13 rbs/ 2 ast/ 2 stl/3 blks

This is the C we've been waiting for for SO SO long. Rookie scale for another year and then RFA. I'm so over hyped it's not even funny.

[LoquaciousLarry]

I love Roberts game, his athleticism is incredible but what he has consistently flashed since he was in college and with the Celtics is his passing ability and naturally very high bball iQ.

He's always thinking out there and willing to make the right play, very unselfish. His minutes should continue to climb as he's the Celtics most valuable big man in my opinion.

I think he has the potential to be a Ben Wallace type impact player on defense and the glass with the ability to add the Tony Battie/Mark Blount/Potapenko mid range J to go with his inside game.

[sportfan6197]

Where does Rob rank in terms of C's around the league if he could consistently play 30 mins a game? He's Gobert/Capela level definitely.

Per 36: 16 pts/13 rbs/ 2 ast/ 2 stl/3 blks

This is the C we've been waiting for for SO SO long. Rookie scale for another year and then RFA. I'm so over hyped it's not even funny.

Gobert is all nba center. Stop

[cl2117]

Where does Rob rank in terms of C's around the league if he could consistently play 30 mins a game? He's Gobert/Capela level definitely.

Per 36: 16 pts/13 rbs/ 2 ast/ 2 stl/3 blks

This is the C we've been waiting for for SO SO long. Rookie scale for another year and then RFA. I'm so over hyped it's not even funny.

Gobert is all nba center. Stop

This is my point. Those per 36 mins RW3 is putting up are in the same ballpark as Goberts. If he were able to play a similar number of minutes as Rudy and maintain those splits he would be an all nba caliber center. That's obviously a big if and an incredibly hard task, especially since it'd be against starters more often, but that's how crazy good his 20 minute stretches have been.

Not saying he's as good as Gobert, just that he has that potential if he can find a way to extend his minutes to where Rudy's are and keep the same pace he's at now.

[Parliament10]

Where does Rob rank in terms of C's around the league if he could consistently play 30 mins a game? He's Gobert/Capela level definitely.

Per 36: 16 pts/13 rbs/ 2 ast/ 2 stl/3 blks

This is the C we've been waiting for for SO SO long. Rookie scale for another year and then RFA. I'm so over hyped it's not even funny.

Gobert is all nba center. Stop

This is my point. Those per 36 mins RW3 is putting up are in the same ballpark as Goberts. If he were able to play a similar number of minutes as Rudy and maintain those splits he would be an all nba caliber center. That's obviously a big if and an incredibly hard task, especially since it'd be against starters more often, but that's how crazy good his 20 minute stretches have been.

Not saying he's as good as Gobert, just that he has that potential if he can find a way to extend his minutes to where Rudy's are and keep the same pace he's at now.

Why not though. Gobert and R. Williams were both picked at #27, five years apart.
It's not inconceivable that Timelord can become as good as Gobert.

[zoyathedestroya]

Watch on YouTube

#FreeTimelord. I was watching the 1st two games of the Raptors series this week. And him knowing what to do and where to be is night-and-day during those games and this season. More reps for this guy, please!

[Infinite Llamas]

Where does Rob rank in terms of C's around the league if he could consistently play 30 mins a game? He's Gobert/Capela level definitely.

Per 36: 16 pts/13 rbs/ 2 ast/ 2 stl/3 blks

This is the C we've been waiting for for SO SO long. Rookie scale for another year and then RFA. I'm so over hyped it's not even funny.

Gobert is all nba center. Stop

This is my point. Those per 36 mins RW3 is putting up are in the same ballpark as Goberts. If he were able to play a similar number of minutes as Rudy and maintain those splits he would be an all nba caliber center. That's obviously a big if and an incredibly hard task, especially since it'd be against starters more often, but that's how crazy good his 20 minute stretches have been.

Not saying he's as good as Gobert, just that he has that potential if he can find a way to extend his minutes to where Rudy's are and keep the same pace he's at now.

Even if he can give us 50% of what Rudy gives the Jazz it’ll make us an infinitely better team.

You can already start to see the fear of opposing players when Williams is in the paint. His blocks will eventually go down but that’s a good thing. It means guys are just afraid to attack him which equals less opposition rim opportunities

[Fencer reregistered]

Gobert is all nba center. Stop

This is my point. Those per 36 mins RW3 is putting up are in the same ballpark as Goberts. If he were able to play a similar number of minutes as Rudy and maintain those splits he would be an all nba caliber center. That's obviously a big if and an incredibly hard task, especially since it'd be against starters more often, but that's how crazy good his 20 minute stretches have been.

Not saying he's as good as Gobert, just that he has that potential if he can find a way to extend his minutes to where Rudy's are and keep the same pace he's at now.

Even if he can give us 50% of what Rudy gives the Jazz it’ll make us an infinitely better team.

You can already start to see the fear of opposing players when Williams is in the paint. His blocks will eventually go down but that’s a good thing. It means guys are just afraid to attack him which equals less opposition rim opportunities

Gobert is particularly good at defensive positioning, I've seen it persuasively argued. Exceeding Capela is an easier target. But yes -- Rob Williams has all-star/all-NBA potential.