Let's talk Robert Williams

[Cyclical]

We're all following the free agency market and trying to forecast Danny's moves but how do you think Time Lord will fair next year? Is he ready for big minutes? Has he learned a thing or two under Horford's tutelage?

We know he can block shots with the best of them and he's definitely going to be physically stronger. The kid can pass the ball as well. Will he still get totally lost on D? Will he ever be effective outside the paint?

Or, will Danny trade him in a package for someone else...

I personally have a good feeling about the kid and I have a feeling Brad & Danny do as well and are taking the time to develop him.

Rookie Stats:
8.8 Minutes / 70% FG / 2.5 Rebounds / 1.4 Blocks


Your thoughts?

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[claycarver]

Looks eerily similar to DeAndre Jordan. Strengths and weaknesses. Is Brad ok with a blank spot on the floor past 6 feet in exchange for a vacuum cleaner around the basket?

Based on how the offseason is going, I'd guess they like him. I sure do.

[Fencer reregistered]

Looks eerily similar to DeAndre Jordan. Strengths and weaknesses. Is Brad ok with a blank spot on the floor past 6 feet in exchange for a vacuum cleaner around the basket?

Based on how the offseason is going, I'd guess they like him. I sure do.

The issue, obviously, is defense in space. Stevens needs to have schemed something up so that, when opponents try to force Williams away from the basket, either he can defend effectively or else not have to go in the first place. Given how alert and reasonably agile he seems in what he's already good at -- shot-blocking, roll man, etc. -- that should be doable.

[Roddy]

Excited to see him in Summer league.

If he can add a mid-range shot and work on his rebounding (he was bad at boxing out), so I could see him playing 20/25 minutes.

[Elrod is Back]

If Timelord gets rotation minutes that will be a colossal victory. Right now we have little reason to believe Brad thinks he can play at all, despite his obvious tools. I am rooting for the guy. His tools are incredible. But like all big men, it is unclear how much he loves the game, how much of a competitor he is, how hard he is willing to work.

You never have to worry about that with little guys. If Carsen Edwards or Tremont Waters weren't hyper-competitive basketball junkies they'd have never made it this far. When you are a 6-9 or taller and a gifted athlete, you can coast a long way before your lack of love for the game, work ethic, and competitive drive catches up to you. NBA history is littered with talented 7 footers who just didn't like basketball or to compete that much.

The jury is still out on Timelord in this regard. But it won't be for long. Let's hope he is just a small town kid who has a fire burning inside him.

[Sibelius]

What is the prognosis on his blood vessel condition? He was huffing and puffing in the limited minutes he had. Is he going to get surgery and will the surgery alleviate the breathing issues? I think his team defense can improve, but if he can't stay on the floor he has no chance of improving.

[cloverleaf]

If as reported he will eventually need surgery I wish he had had it done after he was drafted. But I took his huffing and puffing as. The result of him not being able to go hard in workouts last year because of his knees, as well as that he could habe really used losing about 15 pounds. Of he does that and his knees are good I think he can develop all the mobility and endurance that he needs. Plus I expect his shot to come along.

[chakdaddy]

What is the prognosis on his blood vessel condition? He was huffing and puffing in the limited minutes he had. Is he going to get surgery and will the surgery alleviate the breathing issues? I think his team defense can improve, but if he can't stay on the floor he has no chance of improving.

Pretty sure his issue was only circulation to the legs. I suppose that could indirectly affect his overall conditioning but that seems unlikely.

[BRUNiNHO91]

Pretty impressive highlight clip for a dude who played 2mpg.

Pretty sweet passes by the scumbag from Brooklyn also. Lol

[Ernest]

Anyone expecting anything from him this season is setting themselves up for disappointment. No real knock on him, maybe he will play well, but set expectations at nothing and hope to be surprised.

[Iguodaladon]

He's very very raw - like you said, he gets lost on D a lot. Outside of blocking shots and rebounding I didn't see much from him, but if he can round out the rest of his game he's an intriguing player

[bfchs123]

Very raw and I doubt he gets anywhere near 20+ min next year (Baynes averaged ~16min, granted he was injured for part).

Hope we can hold onto him and would be great for him to learn from a guy like Capela/DJ who have very similar skillsets.

[Bleeding Green]

He gets lost on D, but his vision on the offensive end has to be a positive sign that he'll figure out what to do defensively, since he's obviously able to read the court. Not that his vision is truly remarkable, but I'd say it's definitely an above average skill he possesses relative to the average Center. He's no Jokic, but he's also not Al Jefferson. The athletic tools will take him a long way and I don't buy into that he couldn't have played more last year, there just wasn't room to let someone like him develop on the floor when you had championship aspirations (lmao imagine thinking this).

Right now he'd be the starting C, so worst case he should get solid backup minutes if they bring in a veteran to start over him. Especially if Theis goes back to Germany. There aren't many centers who immediately pick up the speed of the NBA and understand where to be defensively. It took Gobert a few years to know what to do at all and now he's a multi-DPOY winner. Just accept that he's going to look really, really bad sometimes and deal with it. This team shouldn't have championship aspirations at this point unless Ainge has some crazy trades up his sleeve, so hopefully they can get Williams at least 15 minutes a game.

[claycarver]

Looks eerily similar to DeAndre Jordan. Strengths and weaknesses. Is Brad ok with a blank spot on the floor past 6 feet in exchange for a vacuum cleaner around the basket?

Based on how the offseason is going, I'd guess they like him. I sure do.

The issue, obviously, is defense in space. Stevens needs to have schemed something up so that, when opponents try to force Williams away from the basket, either he can defend effectively or else not have to go in the first place. Given how alert and reasonably agile he seems in what he's already good at -- shot-blocking, roll man, etc. -- that should be doable.

I read somewhere that Williams actually had to do good bit of switching up and perimeter defense in college. They had a big next to Williams that wasn't as fleet footed, so that ended up forcing Williams to learn to defend away from the basket.

[ParticleMan]

man if he could give us like 15 mpg next year that would be such a huge boost. basically fill theis's role.

[Bad-Thoma]

I like the kid long term but he was so raw last season I don't expect that much yet, I'd be happy with any contribution.

[Celts17Pride]

If the Celtics don’t trade Robert Williams then the hope is he will be able to give the Celtics a solid 20 mpg next year. Rim runner, defense, rebounding, setting screens and passing.

[Wes-J]

Lets face it he's 2-3 yrs from being ready. He's got a lot to learn on and off the court.

[Fencer reregistered]

Looks eerily similar to DeAndre Jordan. Strengths and weaknesses. Is Brad ok with a blank spot on the floor past 6 feet in exchange for a vacuum cleaner around the basket?

Based on how the offseason is going, I'd guess they like him. I sure do.

The issue, obviously, is defense in space. Stevens needs to have schemed something up so that, when opponents try to force Williams away from the basket, either he can defend effectively or else not have to go in the first place. Given how alert and reasonably agile he seems in what he's already good at -- shot-blocking, roll man, etc. -- that should be doable.

I read somewhere that Williams actually had to do good but of switching up and perimeter defense. They had a big next to Williams that wasn't as fleet footed, so that ended up forcing Williams to learn to defend away from the basket.

I'm sure he has the physical agility. The issue is reading more of the court than just the small area around the basket or even, as it is correctly noted above that he does at the offensive end, the path between him and the basket.

[VeryMuchWoke]

I've heard he's been in the gym, putting a lot of work in. I hope he can get 15 mpg this year.