The Time Lord: Welcome Robert Williams!

[brackdan70]

Well, I'm probably the only Celtics fan who didn't like the pick. I'm aware that of the remaining players on the board he had the most "value", but I believe there's a reason he fell to 27. His BBIQ (right now) is lower than any of the other 59 draft picks, he doesn't seem to have any passion for the game, and his offensive game is painful to watch. His body measurements are great, but thats about the only positive I see in him. My guess is he's out of the league by the end of his rookie contract.

BTW I would've been down on many other possible picks Ainge could've made at 27. Most players drafted after the first 20 don't get to contribute in the NBA for long. My main point is I don't see the potential of a rotation player (you all see) in him, which is legitimate for a 27th pick.

Who would you have drafted?

[brackdan70]

Well, I'm probably the only Celtics fan who didn't like the pick. I'm aware that of the remaining players on the board he had the most "value", but I believe there's a reason he fell to 27. His BBIQ (right now) is lower than any of the other 59 draft picks, he doesn't seem to have any passion for the game, and his offensive game is painful to watch. His body measurements are great, but thats about the only positive I see in him. My guess is he's out of the league by the end of his rookie contract.

BTW I would've been down on many other possible picks Ainge could've made at 27. Most players drafted after the first 20 don't get to contribute in the NBA for long. My main point is I don't see the potential of a rotation player (you all see) in him, which is legitimate for a 27th pick.

Also BBIQ is not a real thing. If you mean instincts for the game he actually seems better than average

[celticfan42487]

Well, I'm probably the only Celtics fan who didn't like the pick. I'm aware that of the remaining players on the board he had the most "value", but I believe there's a reason he fell to 27. His BBIQ (right now) is lower than any of the other 59 draft picks, he doesn't seem to have any passion for the game, and his offensive game is painful to watch. His body measurements are great, but thats about the only positive I see in him. My guess is he's out of the league by the end of his rookie contract.

BTW I would've been down on many other possible picks Ainge could've made at 27. Most players drafted after the first 20 don't get to contribute in the NBA for long. My main point is I don't see the potential of a rotation player (you all see) in him, which is legitimate for a 27th pick.

Who would you have drafted?

Well he said he would have been down on a lot of options there so it's not really a who would you have drafted kind of comment anyways.

A bit shocking though that at that spot, he has difficulty seeing how an elite rim protector, rebounder, perfect switching defense Center, and decent passer, elite lob catcher can't find a role in the modern NBA though.

Don't get me wrong, I see a lot of reasons to be down on him at 15, but like you said at 27th you're usually drafting nothing. He has so much upside and he's on a team where no one else brings those assets he brings. He just has to come in and play exactly how he played in college to have a role.

I think we'll see his rookie year play out a lot like Jordan Bell's did for GSW. Agreed with all the medical and mental red flags, we won't probably know till year 2, year 3 max if he'll stay in the league past his rookie deal.

[brackdan70]

Well, I'm probably the only Celtics fan who didn't like the pick. I'm aware that of the remaining players on the board he had the most "value", but I believe there's a reason he fell to 27. His BBIQ (right now) is lower than any of the other 59 draft picks, he doesn't seem to have any passion for the game, and his offensive game is painful to watch. His body measurements are great, but thats about the only positive I see in him. My guess is he's out of the league by the end of his rookie contract.

BTW I would've been down on many other possible picks Ainge could've made at 27. Most players drafted after the first 20 don't get to contribute in the NBA for long. My main point is I don't see the potential of a rotation player (you all see) in him, which is legitimate for a 27th pick.

Who would you have drafted?

Well he said he would have been down on a lot of options there so it's not really a who would you have drafted kind of comment anyways.

A bit shocking though that at that spot, he has difficulty seeing how an elite rim protector, rebounder, perfect switching defense Center, and decent passer, elite lob catcher can't find a role in the modern NBA though.

Don't get me wrong, I see a lot of reasons to be down on him at 15, but like you said at 27th you're usually drafting nothing. He has so much upside and he's on a team where no one else brings those assets he brings. He just has to come in and play exactly how he played in college to have a role.

I think we'll see his rookie year play out a lot like Jordan Bell's did for GSW. Agreed with all the medical and mental red flags, we won't probably know till year 2, year 3 max if he'll stay in the league past his rookie deal.

Yeah. I was just wondering who all these guys were that he likes more.

[jirrit]

I got a feeling this pick’s either gonna bust bigtime due to whatever circumstances or else he’s gonna rock this place apart day 1. Hope to see something juicy in SL, that’d be a good start.

[Shakey Deal]

I'll answer shortly since it takes too much time to phrase my terrible european english.

So I'm not sure what you're saying here. Would you have preferred that we trade the pick instead of making it? I can understand the argument for that as I made it myself before the draft. As for being a rotation player, here's the important thing that you can't forget:

Look at our roster right now. Robert Williams isn't GOING to be a rotation player next year. We are f'n stacked!! He doesn't have to be. So guess what happens? He gets to work his butt off, learn from our veterans, watch film, get better. He may not look like a rotation player to you right now but who's to say he might not be improved after a year By then, other guys like Morris might be gone. Baynes is most likely to get a 2 year deal. After that, this kid could feasibly step in. The point is, it doesn't matter whether you can trust him today. Do you trust that he can be coached up and surrounded by the veterans on this team, given what tools he already has, can he get better in 2-3 years to look like a solid rotation player?

Yes, trading the pick would be my choice. I honestly agree with everything you said, but my concern is exactly the point you mentioned: I don't trust him to improve. In 3 years from now Baynes may still be the better player.

I don't see how a player could be the SEC Defensive Player of the Year both his college seasons--and be lacking in passion or understanding of the game (for the level he was playing at). Seems like he well knew his offensive limitations and played within that in order to have a shooting % north of .60.

The same way Grant Williams and Yante Maten just won SEC players of the year. It's SEC we're talking about, not the NBA.

Who would you have drafted?

I'd probably pick Spellman or Khyri Thomas, if not trading the pick. Again, I'm not saying Williams is a terrible pick at 27, I just don't trust his raw potential the way you all do.

[batabatuta]

I get the impression that one of his character issues is that he doesn't come to practice as much as he should or is perennially late. It's odd that both Ainge and Brad mention him "he needs to come to work". I think i'd give him a pass over the conference call but starting next friday with the introductory press conference until summer league, we will have a good feeling as to what his issues are. Regarding his knee problems, i think he purposely withheld information by not attending the combine. I think that's part of his attitude problem again. I think it's a red flag with those knees but still for the 27th pick, i don't mind the risk coz' if he all works out, he will be the answer to our frontcourt defensive woes. At the moment, i will turn a blind eye to his possible immaturity issues.

[Fencer reregistered]

No worries. Robert already followed the celtics account on instagram this morning. Surefire indication that he LOVES the celtics, wants nothing more than to work his butt off for the celtics, and will become a celtics legend in no time.

EDIT: Note to all our other players -- please learn how to throw proper alley-oop lob passes even though Williams it seems can catch anything within a one-mile radius of the rim.

I'd also flip that around and encourage Baynes to get better at catching them.

[KumaJG]

Well, I'm probably the only Celtics fan who didn't like the pick. I'm aware that of the remaining players on the board he had the most "value", but I believe there's a reason he fell to 27. His BBIQ (right now) is lower than any of the other 59 draft picks, he doesn't seem to have any passion for the game, and his offensive game is painful to watch. His body measurements are great, but thats about the only positive I see in him. My guess is he's out of the league by the end of his rookie contract.

BTW I would've been down on many other possible picks Ainge could've made at 27. Most players drafted after the first 20 don't get to contribute in the NBA for long. My main point is I don't see the potential of a rotation player (you all see) in him, which is legitimate for a 27th pick.

Also BBIQ is not a real thing. If you mean instincts for the game he actually seems better than average

BBIQ is a real thing... Its how you think about the game of basketball. Instincts falls align with feel for the game.

[Fencer reregistered]

In watching his highlight reels, there were a few things that stuck out for me.

1.) This kid is athletic as hell and moves fast for a big. On the Draftexpress strengths video, they had a whole section on Williams switching onto guards and wings. He moves his feet and can really cover these guys on the perimeter. He gives them a little space so they don't blow by him, yet still has the length to block their shots from a few feet away.

2.) Ranked # 2 in the top 100 college prospects as a shot blocker per 40. This kid can jump and has a 7'4" wingspan.

3.) Fast in transition and great hands and dunk skills.

4.) Pretty good passer out of double teams and drives to the basket.

5.) Gonna need to work on his shot mechanics. Pulls the ball up from his left side even though he's a righty. Long arms probably contribute to each shot looking different.

I think we got a steal at #27!!!

Other scouting reports and videos had him badly throwing the ball away. I think passing is the most disputed part of his game ... which probably means it's the one that should be most surveyed and discussed. Except, of course, for possible indicators about his future as a shooter, such as how he styles his hair ...

[Fencer reregistered]

Read on Twitter

KG works out with young bigs. Maybe he wants to catch a few drills with him at the Celtics' new digs this summer. Wasn't Waltah (no longer with Cs) our big guy coach?

Why didn't he go to the combine? Health? Strategy? Did he fire his agent after figuring out not going to the combine was a bad choice?

[Fencer reregistered]

So another lazy and small PF-C like yabusele and sullinger, ainge looks obsessed with these. He doesn't look fat at least, in the draft yabusele wasn't as fat as now tho, so who knows.

7'6 wingspan and big time leaper though. 240 pounds not a twig either

Yabba who?

Think this guy they drafted last night gets Yabusele's spot...He's more Robert Parish than anyone we have had on the team since....

Now, if someone can teach him to shoot close in and make his free throws, we are good!

Hard to figure that a projected lottery pick who also happens to be a big would fall to us at 27?

But I'll take it......Danny is lucky like that ....We get a top tier prospect at a position of need without having to trade up to get him...Almost like if we had had another top 5 pick handed to us....

Yabba dabba who?

That said, I don't think Yabu's place on the roster is at great risk. However, there's fierce competition for minutes.

[brackdan70]

Well, I'm probably the only Celtics fan who didn't like the pick. I'm aware that of the remaining players on the board he had the most "value", but I believe there's a reason he fell to 27. His BBIQ (right now) is lower than any of the other 59 draft picks, he doesn't seem to have any passion for the game, and his offensive game is painful to watch. His body measurements are great, but thats about the only positive I see in him. My guess is he's out of the league by the end of his rookie contract.

BTW I would've been down on many other possible picks Ainge could've made at 27. Most players drafted after the first 20 don't get to contribute in the NBA for long. My main point is I don't see the potential of a rotation player (you all see) in him, which is legitimate for a 27th pick.

Also BBIQ is not a real thing. If you mean instincts for the game he actually seems better than average

BBIQ is a real thing... Its how you think about the game of basketball. Instincts falls align with feel for the game.

ok. So what is Williams BBIQ. I think like 112. Nota a basketball genius but better than average.

[Fencer reregistered]

Posted yet?

Read on Twitter

While we all joke about it, I'm actually bothered by all these flat-earth claims in what is already a conspiracy-theorist science-skeptical era. I don't think the guys making them appreciate the gravity of the situation.

[KumaJG]

Also BBIQ is not a real thing. If you mean instincts for the game he actually seems better than average

BBIQ is a real thing... Its how you think about the game of basketball. Instincts falls align with feel for the game.

ok. So what is Williams BBIQ. I think like 112. Nota a basketball genius but better than average.

He not genius but above average to good. Very smart for a big.

[Fire Danny]

Posted yet?

Read on Twitter

While we all joke about it, I'm actually bothered by all these flat-earth claims in what is already a conspiracy-theorist science-skeptical era. I don't think the guys making them appreciate the gravity of the situation.

“Gravity of the Situation” regarding conspiracy theories....

Clearly I’m missing something here.

Anyway, onto Bobby Williams and his career with the C’s

[celticfan42487]

Well for Summer League I guess I'm hoping to see him grab about 12 rpg and 4 blocks per game.

It's not exactly a league that you can show off defense or play organized basketball... so if he really is going to be our Tristian Thompson then he needs to domanite non nba players in these areas.

[Homerclease]

Well for Summer League I guess I'm hoping to see him grab about 12 rpg and 4 blocks per game.

It's not exactly a league that you can show off defense or play organized basketball... so if he really is going to be our Tristian Thompson then he needs to domanite non nba players in these areas.

I want to see him used in a pick and roll capacity over and over, and over again. They didn’t do it for him in college at all. Summer league is gonna be a crash course for him

[Celtics_History_Lesson]

He was impressed with this:

Read on Twitter

So the Celtics have been getting his attention. If he has been watching closely, he will see that inside depth, shot blocking, rebounding, dunks, offensive rebounds are what the Celtics need. It is what he does, and instead of teams going after him to stop him he will be option number 5, and will have it easy for putbacks and, as everyone says, lob finishes.

Williams gets a year to watch Theis, and to play small minutes. Will get close to the money Theis gets this season. If Baynes leaves now, Williams might get games with a lot of playing time, depending on injuries, or fouls, to the other bigs.

The next year, maybe Theis goes for more money. Horford is getting less time, to keep him fresh, there is no way the Morris brother will be around then, Williams could get plenty of minutes on a winning team.

Celtics were lucky, this was the perfect pick, and no gamble at all. A block every 10 minutes, while not getting to guard the basket all the time for his college team, that should mean the defense Boston wants.

Williams, he either gets paid plenty to watch a team win a title, or he contributes to that this upcoming season. Sounds like fun. Then future seasons could see a huge role.


Those pointing to Ainge missing on Jordan and making up for it here would be correct.

[Fencer reregistered]

when everything is a dunk. If that's the case, you should be shooting 99%.

Not coincidentally, the Celtics should have played the Warriors in the Finals.