Let's talk Robert Williams

[cloverleaf]

RW’s ticket to success is to play defense like KG. I don’t know what you want to call it - motor, drive, self awareness, BBIQ, - RW’s approach is nowhere close to KG and KG had so much talent he could get away with being lazy if he ever wanted to. Offensively, RW can keep it simple for a few years and that won’t matter so much. However, if he can use his length, speed and hops to just be everywhere 80% of the way KG was......he’ll be a huge asset. The talent to be that guy is there. Just haven’t seen the focus in SL yet.

Asking any player, especially a non-lottery pick, to be the next KG is simply not fair.

Reading comprehension?

"RW’s ticket to success is to play defense like KG."

[Leprechaun18]

I hope RWIII gets some steady minutes this coming season. If he does I think his game will steadily get better and he could be what this team needs by the playoffs.

[Tiny ball]

Robert Williams is not lazy. He is the future of the Celtics big man rotation and will average double double, with 3 blocks per game, given the opportunity.

I have seen this guy loafing too often.

I have seen RWIII on the floor wrestling for balls and making good passes. He also sets many picks that guards are to lazy or stupid to use. RWIII is always active on defense. He also boxes out more than anyone else on the team. Think before you call someone a loafer Peeps nowadays just like to go online and b*tch.

I see what I see.

[OldCeltics]

I have seen this guy loafing too often.

I have seen RWIII on the floor wrestling for balls and making good passes. He also sets many picks that guards are to lazy or stupid to use. RWIII is always active on defense. He also boxes out more than anyone else on the team. Think before you call someone a loafer Peeps nowadays just like to go online and b*tch.

I see what I see.

You see wrong my friend. Might be time to go to eye doctor.

[GuyClinch]

He needs to develop an outside shot. Otherwise he will lose minutes to Theis and Kanter - perhaps even that French guy.

[sam_I_am]

Asking any player, especially a non-lottery pick, to be the next KG is simply not fair.

Reading comprehension?

"RW’s ticket to success is to play defense like KG."

That is a far cry from expecting him to be the next KG - like you claimed I said. KG did a hell of a lot more than just defend - RW will never rebound like KG, will never pass like KG, and certainly will never be a #1 scoring option like KG. I never said he should try to be a mid range jump shooter like KG....and am glad his coach shut that down immediately. Emulating the best help defender ever - ie. Effort and Intenisty - doesn’t mean expecting him to be the best ever. I don’t think he should play defense like Aaron Baynes or Marcus Smart. No wonder Tacko could score 95%ile on English SAT after only 8 mos.

[Leprechaun18]

He needs to develop an outside shot. Otherwise he will lose minutes to Theis and Kanter - perhaps even that French guy.

You are correct.

[ITYSL]

I think he starts this year even though Kanter is the better player. They don’t have enough veterans or scoring off the bench right now. I start Brown and Williams, and bring Kanter and Smart off the bench to carry the second unit.

Williams / Kanter / Poirier
Tatum / G. Williams / Theis
Hayward / Semi
Brown / Edwards / Romeo
Kemba / Smart

Interesting. I agree with your premise about not enough veterans and scoring off the bench, but I was thinking about it differently. I thought Smart was better last year focusing on passing and defense. So I was leaning toward

Kanter / R. Williams
Tatum / Theis
Brown / Semi
Smart / Edwards
Kemba / Hayward

Problem with that potential starting 5 is no rim protection. Might be better balanced starting Williams instead.

[Gomes3PC]

I really want to see Smart used as the PG/primary ballhandler when Kemba is sitting. I think he's better suited to do it than Hayward, unless Gordon makes a massive recovery vs what he showed last season.

[ITYSL]

I thought Hayward did a pretty good job leading the bench unit once Brad moved him there. Plus it would give the bench unit more offense. Starting Kemba-Hayward-Brown-Tatum-Kanter leaves you with a glut of shooters on offense, which was one of the issues early last season. Starting WIlliams in place of Kanter could alleviate some of that but I don't really think Williams is ready to start.

[Slartibartfast]

I thought Hayward did a pretty good job leading the bench unit once Brad moved him there. Plus it would give the bench unit more offense. Starting Kemba-Hayward-Brown-Tatum-Kanter leaves you with a glut of shooters on offense, which was one of the issues early last season. Starting WIlliams in place of Kanter could alleviate some of that but I don't really think Williams is ready to start.

Theis is probably the best starting option. He's a mild threat from the arc, a beefier body than RWIII for bodying guys and rebounding, and he can perform about as well as a garbage man in the short term.

But I'm thinking we assured Kanter a pretty big role to get him on the room.

[CavemanDoctor]

It's SL blah blah but Timelord is having probably the best game he's ever played as a Celtic.

Is it crazy to talk about him starting in the regular season?

[Parasite]

It's SL blah blah but Timelord is having probably the best game he's ever played as a Celtic.

Is it crazy to talk about him starting in the regular season?

He looks like a man amongst boys out there tonight. Is this the sign he’s turning the corner?

[BRUNiNHO91]

Beast.

[bfchs123]

Really think he has 'star' potential (in the Jordan/Capela mold). Freakish athletic ability (especially for his size), has all the tools to be a plus defender, will be an above average passer, and listening to his post game interview and seeing how he interacts with his teammates I think he is a potential leader too.

Excited for him next season to get more minutes.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

I was critical of Williams earlier, but he was engaged not drifting during this game and was the best, all-around player on the court. More performances like this and he can challenge the other Celtics Big Men for playing time... but yes, he does need to develop a mid-range game at least to be a dominant player

[Big Joke Line]

By far the most fluid he’s looked. Very impressed.

[Big Joke Line]

Robert Williams is not lazy. He is the future of the Celtics big man rotation and will average double double, with 3 blocks per game, given the opportunity.

I have seen this guy loafing too often.

It was presumably him diving to the floor so many times in the 2nd game that led to the hip contusion that kept him out last night.

I don't worry about him playing hard. I do agree that the C's coaching staff is likely not the best for teaching him the tricks in scoring down low.

He had a nice jump hook tonight.

[Triple7]

I thought Hayward did a pretty good job leading the bench unit once Brad moved him there. Plus it would give the bench unit more offense. Starting Kemba-Hayward-Brown-Tatum-Kanter leaves you with a glut of shooters on offense, which was one of the issues early last season. Starting WIlliams in place of Kanter could alleviate some of that but I don't really think Williams is ready to start.

Theis is probably the best starting option. He's a mild threat from the arc, a beefier body than RWIII for bodying guys and rebounding, and he can perform about as well as a garbage man in the short term.

But I'm thinking we assured Kanter a pretty big role to get him on the room.

That wouldn’t work. That would be a really small lineup with 6’8 Theis. a 6’1 pg, 6’4 sg, 6’7 sf, and tatum at pf?
There is no rim protection in there at all, and no one to body up guys like embiid and drummond.

[Floody100]

If he can put on some muscle & get to that 250 pound mark he’s going to be a monster. He’s 6’10 & although probably unrealistic I’d love to see him grow a couple of inches & end up at 7’0.