The Time Lord: Welcome Robert Williams!

[Andrew McCeltic]

But yeah, agreed getting him at 27 is more and more looking like a brilliant stroke of luck - the kind of late first-round gem teams like San Antonio, OKC, and the Lakers always seem to grab. My only criticism of the KG era was that Danny didn’t hit on many picks like that, and didn’t take risks on end of the roster projects. Sullinger could have extended the window if he hadn’t been an injury/weight problem. Patrick O’Bryant was the only reclamation they attempted. Some of it is luck - but even something as simple as drafting Williams and Ojeleye is a major net positive relative to their draft position.

[cloverleaf]

Those are the questions for me - how smart can he get defensively in his reactions, and can he defend out to the perimeter. I have Bamba and Jackson ahead of him in those respects right now, because they're a year younger, and look more agile - but Williams could viably pass them in both categories. It's very early for all of them, the book on each of them should change. The initial hype on Towns, remember, talked about how coachable he was, how he'd improve defensively, and no talk about him being "soft." And at this point in Okafor's career, he was putting up points without a huge sample of plus-minus or a belief he was a lost cause defensively.

If I remember right, there were a few preseason games where Williams got switched out on perimeter players and did a great job staying with them. He was quick laterally, and if he backed off them he could still get up and contest/block jumpers with his insane quickness & winspan. I forget which game it was and when, but I remember talking about it afterwards and being excited about that potential.

That’s the dream, yeah, to be able to switch and then turn back towards the rim and block shots from behind. But he’s very young and raw, and I’d guess the last 6 months are the first good teaching and dedicated work he’s ever had. Upside can come with pressure, hype can breed complacency - the best thing is for him to keep working at getting fundamentals drilled down so they’re automatic, and build from there.

They also have said they want to bring him along slowly while healing his knees--apparently in a similar way that they did with Rozier, I think it was they said.

[SmartWentCrazy]

My assessment is accurate. He lacks that zeal, determination to dominate. His long arms seemed to affect davis on some shots.

It's sad that you live in such a mentally disabled state of life that you need to insult those who have a different opinion.. Ljol

Look, get in a pissing match all you want, but the bolded is entirely out of bounds and inappropriate. Grow up.

So calling people douchebags and other posters even worse comments are ok?

My intention was to explain to this poster that verbal bullying is not acceptable. Discuss things with out name calling.

There is a MASSIVE difference between calling someone a douchebag and calling someone mentally disabled. If you cant see this then I cant really help you.

My advice: drop it and move on; however, if you wish to discuss this further, you can PM me.

[GuyClinch]

Robert Williams health will likely be the biggest issue. And can he develop an NBA level outside shot. If those things work out he will be golden for us for years to come.

Defensive ability alone won't get you significant playing time in the NBA nowadays. Even Marcus Smart needed the to be a strong rotation/fringe starter.. With so many tick tack fouls and the rules favoring the scorer - even good defenders get burnt.

[TheTruth316]

I never said that. Please quote me. I am a 58 year old man who has a teenage son with aspergers/autism.

I have no tolerance for bullying as a result. I am sorry but there is no excuse for any name calling. Period.... I addressed the verbal attack. I did not say that they were.

The truth is most people with disabilities are the sweetest people. They don't call people names. Only those who are proud, and full of themselves need to resort to bullying by name calling.

Living in a doesn't make you something.. The only thing that makes you something is your choices..

And that poster should be one who is totally aware of the issue of name calling..

I am 58. I see kids at work who are so gifted but yet lazy. Yes I base my world view on that. Because I work hard, out performing people more gifted than i..

Someone above compared RW to kg ... Seriously? On what basis? Talent PERHAPS.. Heart not even close.

[JHTruth]

I never said that. Please quote me. I am a 58 year old man who has a teenage son with aspergers/autism.

I have no tolerance for bullying as a result. I am sorry but there is no excuse for any name calling. Period.... I addressed the verbal attack. I did not say that they were.

The truth is most people with disabilities are the sweetest people. They don't call people names. Only those who are proud, and full of themselves need to resort to bullying by name calling.

Living in a doesn't make you something.. The only thing that makes you something is your choices..

And that poster should be one who is totally aware of the issue of name calling..

I am 58. I see kids at work who are so gifted but yet lazy. Yes I base my world view on that. Because I work hard, out performing people more gifted than i..

Someone above compared RW to kg ... Seriously? On what basis? Talent PERHAPS.. Heart not even close.

What you prefer the term jerk? Because that's what you sound like constantly downing and dogging a kid who has done nothing but work their butt off and perform at every opportunity.

[Parliament10]

I never said that. Please quote me. I am a 58 year old man who has a teenage son with aspergers/autism.

I have no tolerance for bullying as a result. I am sorry but there is no excuse for any name calling. Period.... I addressed the verbal attack. I did not say that they were.

The truth is most people with disabilities are the sweetest people. They don't call people names. Only those who are proud, and full of themselves need to resort to bullying by name calling.

Living in a doesn't make you something.. The only thing that makes you something is your choices..

And that poster should be one who is totally aware of the issue of name calling..

I am 58. I see kids at work who are so gifted but yet lazy. Yes I base my world view on that. Because I work hard, out performing people more gifted than i..

Someone above compared RW to kg ... Seriously? On what basis? Talent PERHAPS.. Heart not even close.

What you prefer the term jerk? Because that's what you sound like constantly downing and dogging a kid who has done nothing but work their butt off and perform at every opportunity.

TheTruth316 = Give it a rest, man.
We (posters) don't want to continuously hear it.

This is the Robert Williams Thread.
Why don't you stick to script, and leave your personal stuff, on some other Forum?

[ConstableGeneva]

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[TheTruth316]

Yes I see the fruits of his work ethic, he was visibly exhausted after 4 minutes of playing in a NBA game. Jared sullinger was dished on for being a fattie. But this young man who has all world athleticism and a svelte body is winded. But yet he works so hard.

I want that talent to show forth. I want him to succeed.. We need that KG type of dominant defensive presence.

Coach Stevens is a players coach, very positive in public. Sometimes kids need to get some tough love.

[cloverleaf]

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Great clip, thanks.

And this is the guy Brad has had working with him: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/ohio-high-school/2018/02/27/glory-days-hard-work-pays-off-former-moeller-star-alex-barlow/377876002/

[mbsnmisc]

Yes I see the fruits of his work ethic, he was visibly exhausted after 4 minutes of playing in a NBA game. Jared sullinger was dished on for being a fattie. But this young man who has all world athleticism and a svelte body is winded. But yet he works so hard.

I want that talent to show forth. I want him to succeed.. We need that KG type of dominant defensive presence.

Coach Stevens is a players coach, very positive in public. Sometimes kids need to get some tough love.

I hope everything turns out great for you and your son. Take joy out of simple things, a hug, a walk in the park, a shared smile. There are a lot of resources out there that will assist you and your family, don't try to carry all of the burden alone.

Williams has that vein impingement in his lower legs that cuts off circulation and causes quick fatigue. That may be part of what you equate to being out of shape.

We are all Celtic fans, we care enough to spend a lot of our spare time on this board. I can only speak for myself, but I think everyone here wants some version of the same thing.

Good luck.

[shi-woo]

Very happy with what I've seen from Robert, and am glad he's making the most of him limited opportunity.

For all the grief some posters were giving him about Davis putting up 41, I think is unwarranted. Stats don't tell it all. Davis went at Williams hard every play he could, and Robert responded. He played with more energy, and really took it to Davis. Obviously Davis still got him, but give the rookie some recognition for showing some fire!

I'm hoping that Williams has the same development and impact of Clint Capella, a 25th pick steal by the Rockets. Took him two years to get it together, got on the floor by rebounding strong, blocking shots, and finishing at the rim. Hope Williams takes the same approach

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[Scarletfire81]

When RWIII is on the court its exciting to watch because of his extreme athleticism, its pure entertainment. He has a bright future if he maintains his work ethic and stays healthy.

[Dogen]

I just about could not be happier with the initial pick and RWIII's performance thus far.

I can understand people having their opinion, and having some doubts, but most of the stuff posted by detractors can be addressed by time, effort and patience.

To address Williams' attitude, what exactly has he done beside being young and inexperienced with a few unfortunate (and admittedly laughable) mistakes? It's not like he's been caught dealing drugs, carrying guns onto planes, fighting in bars, beating his girlfriend, or drunk reckless driving. THOSE are actual things that some young players have done. Williams has not shown any serious behavior or attitude problems like that at all.

Physically, the man is a specimen. Already a top prospect big defensively with his innate gifts. Lateral mobility, his quick-trigger reflex, vert jump, and wingspan are elite.

Motor: Ok, he's still got a lot of work cut out for him, just like most rookies, (and most vets). But he's coming off injury and the team does not need to push his minutes this season. the very last thing we need from Williams is for him to be gassed out there, start jumping at every shot that goes up within ten feet, and end up crumpled on the floor with an injury. Despite his athleticism, this is a young dude who still needs to grow into his "man bones". It's an iterative process, and he's going to need time with the team to develop the right practice habits, the right playing habits, the right workout/rest, eating, lifestyle, etc, so he can hit his potential. Yes, he's getting winded, but he's not KG, so let's stick with the program and see if he gradually improves over the next year.

Mental/BBIQ. This is where I think Williams will eventually shine the most (along with his athleticism of course). I've been watching Williams not only on the floor, but in the draft, preseason and media day interviews. I get that he's got the sort of quiet, slow talking southern style, but he seems to have a very sharp mind. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they answer questions-- how they consider things, they direction of their eyes when they are thinking, etc. There's a lot of research on this stuff, and I'm certainly no expert, but I see Williams as someone who may not be particularly "verbal" in his communication style, but has a good analytical mind, pattern recognition, and intuition. This partly means that there are times where he might appear to be lost out there (and in a way, he is of course, it's a complex scheme the Celtics run), but on another level, he's working through things, trying to integrate the team's sets with what his body wants to do. His position on the Celtics is one of the most difficult, particularly not he defensive end, because that position needs to move all over the floor, just like the smalls do, and be able to switch perhaps multiple times per defensive possession. I don't mind one bit that Williams is working through this during game time. He needs to be doing so to get the real feel. Limited minutes with a willingness to go back to the bench and learn from the vets and coaches about your floor time will go a long way. No need to rush.

Oh, and passing. Not much to say yet, but the guy has shown some great signs already of perhaps having above average court awareness and handles for a big. Which would be huge.

That Pelicans game was just sort of an early holiday present to us and a great way for Williams to get back on the floor after the birth of his daughter. The details of what Davis did are not hugely important, it was sort of a blow out. But we got a nice taste of what Williams can become. Even AD recognized how rare Williams' skills are. We won't be seeing many games like that one, so it's nice to appreciate it and move on. I expect that if developed the right way, RWIII can be the next in that lineage of modern Celtics big after KG and Horford.

Endeth rant.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

For the first time since the Fab Melo pick, I am in complete disagreement with Danny.

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[SmartWentCrazy]

For the first time since the Fab Melo pick, I am in complete disagreement with Danny.

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Time Lord is waaay better.

But Lob Williams aint bad.

[Parliament10]

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With Horford OUT, and Baynes on a minutes Restriction, Time Lord (aka Robert Williams), is going to get some more time in there. -- TBH, I think that Williams plays better against the Bulkier Bigs, than does Theis.
Theis is more finesse, and 3pt shooting.

[cloverleaf]

I swear, this guy is a young Perk in terms of being an eventual team leader.

All the right priorities and toughness and attitude, with a willingness to speak up off and on the court (once he really gets the system down and racks up some real experience).

The kid is a gem.

[johnnyatm]

My suggestion is you call him sky Williams think about that 1

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[brackdan70]

My suggestion is you call him sky Williams think about that 1

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We appreciate your input. You’ll be notified of the final decision.



Like it or not Time lord seems to be sticking.