Robert Williams, aka "Timelord"

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Losing Williams sucks but we ain't done. People wanting to throw in the towel are soft. There's plenty of examples in the modern NBA of teams surmonting absences in their rotation. OG Anunoby missed the entire playoff run when the Raptors won the title. Avery Bradley didn't travel to the bubble for the Lakers championship. Donte DiVincenzo didn't play after game 3 of the first round last year. Heck, Antetokounmpo and Paul missed multiple games in the playoffs last year and their team still advanced.

I don't wish injuries on anybody but there's no guarantee the Celtics' opponents are going to be totally healthy either. Giannis asides, it's not like the stars of the conference are known for playing every game and even if they do, if Tatum keeps up his current level of play, it will paper over a lot of cracks in the playoffs.

I hope Williams takes the time necessary for a full recovery. Different sport, but during the last world cup, Umtiti pushed through with a messed up knee and at no point in the last four years has he looked remotely healthy. I don't want to see a repeat.

[sam_I_am]

Losing Williams sucks but we ain't done. People wanting to throw in the towel are soft. There's plenty of examples in the modern NBA of teams surmonting absences in their rotation. OG Anunoby missed the entire playoff run when the Raptors won the title. Avery Bradley didn't travel to the bubble for the Lakers championship. Donte DiVincenzo didn't play after game 3 of the first round last year. Heck, Antetokounmpo and Paul missed multiple games in the playoffs last year and their team still advanced.

I don't wish injuries on anybody but there's no guarantee the Celtics' opponents are going to be totally healthy either. Giannis asides, it's not like the stars of the conference are known for playing every game and even if they do, if Tatum keeps up his current level of play, it will paper over a lot of cracks in the playoffs.

I hope Williams takes the time necessary for a full recovery. Different sport, but during the last world cup, Umtiti pushed through with a messed up knee and at no point in the last four years has he looked remotely healthy. I don't want to see a repeat.

I think this team could go to single big lineup with Theis backing up Al and White starting in place of Rob for example. Grant could stay as backup 4, Pritchard backing up Smart and with Nesmith/Hauser getting a few minutes backing up the Jays. It’ll be different but I think team will still play great.

[Slax]

People were on Stevens for not playing Rob enough minutes since medical staff were managing his health. Now people are on Ime for playing him "too much". So what's the sweet spot in terms of minutes/load? The answer might very well be there's none. They drafted him late 1st then extended him knowing full well leg injuries will be a concern. His style of play also isn't kind to those legs.

High flyers get knee problems a lot. Tony Allen was a reserve as a rookie and still injured knee. These players log tons of minutes working out, practicing etc. Its silly to think 2 or 3 minutes per game would make that big of a difference this early in his career. Limiting back to backs? For sure, but 60 games at 24 minutes isn’t exactly a heavy load. Sometimes, **** happens.

I think Rob was playing real starter minutes, close to 30 mpg. But yeah torn ligaments aren't exactly a minutes issue. That's an injury that increases in likelihood the more minutes a guy plays, but only because there's whatever X% per minute probability of landing/planting wrong and getting a ligament tear, not because the impact stress of the season compounds to make a meniscus super likely to tear or something. I would be annoyed with Ime and our medical staff if Rob had aggravated the recurring foot/leg/back injuries that have plagued him throughout his career, but I attribute this to bad luck.

[zoyathedestroya]

FWIW, lineups without the players no longer on the team and without Rob have a net rating of +12.7 in 1018 possessions, five net rating points less than when we had Rob. Not as dominant but still really good.

[sully00]

Assuming Rob is on the roster next year, the team needs to add a high-level backup behind him in case this happens again.

That, or Theis needs to find his 19-20 form or something close to it

Since returning he has
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/theisda01.html

Per36 Theis is putting up 13/10 with a 122 ORTG and 100 DRTG he needs to shoot the 3 better but his FG% is still crazy good. His impact may not be the same outside of what Boston does defensively but Theis is extremely valuable here.

[Triple7]

Yeah, I won't argue with anyone that feels different. I know people tend to wanna be positive when things like this happen... But I'm always a realist. We have no chance of winning it all if he doesn't come back. None. We can still make noise. That's it. Sucks...

I agree with this. It’s not like we have a legit back up big that can compensate for the loss of Rob. Theis and Kornet won’t cut it. Siakam just punished Theis on consecutive plays. Literally taking it to him everytime. More like what Bam used to do in the bubble. We need to get some additional big for the playoffs. I doubt Rob will ever return this season. Team needs to accept and work something out, and prepare for that reality.

Just want to be fair, Siakam and Bam are all star caliber players. Wanting your second string center to not be outmatched vs those guys is probably an unfair ask. Wanting a third string center who isn't outmatched vs those guys is definitely unfair. Theis is definitely a "legit" backup 5. I think your scale of what makes a legit backup 5 seems out of whack.

Ultimately, I think you see Horford have to be the starting 5, that way Theis can remain as the backup because he isn't good enough to start. That means Grant needs to start at the 4, which while he's solid is a huge drop off from what Rob brings to the starting lineup. I don't think we need another big because getting one isn't realistic. I think it needs to be Nesmith or Pritchard who really step up so we can play more minutes with Tatum as a 4 because that's just the best way to get NBA caliber talent out there and not over-rely on Theis.

I have no problem with Theis being a back up. Him as a starter would pose a big problem for us. Siakam and Bam are both all stars i agree, but to have our big(Theis) getting manhandled, actually targetted, just isn’t a good look. If he can’t guard a siakam, then he’s no good guarding an embiid or a giannis. We can’t expect Horf to guard those guys on long stretches. Kornet can’t guard **** either. I watched eric paschall bully his way to rim and dunking on Kornet. We need an extra big body. Someone that can just defend and use up 6 fouls on them. I don’t know where, but i’m sure there is some one out there than can give us at least 15-18mins extra. If we have Rob, then Theis as a 3rd string center would have been fine. Now we need an additional rim protection.

[hugepatsfan]

I agree with this. It’s not like we have a legit back up big that can compensate for the loss of Rob. Theis and Kornet won’t cut it. Siakam just punished Theis on consecutive plays. Literally taking it to him everytime. More like what Bam used to do in the bubble. We need to get some additional big for the playoffs. I doubt Rob will ever return this season. Team needs to accept and work something out, and prepare for that reality.

Just want to be fair, Siakam and Bam are all star caliber players. Wanting your second string center to not be outmatched vs those guys is probably an unfair ask. Wanting a third string center who isn't outmatched vs those guys is definitely unfair. Theis is definitely a "legit" backup 5. I think your scale of what makes a legit backup 5 seems out of whack.

Ultimately, I think you see Horford have to be the starting 5, that way Theis can remain as the backup because he isn't good enough to start. That means Grant needs to start at the 4, which while he's solid is a huge drop off from what Rob brings to the starting lineup. I don't think we need another big because getting one isn't realistic. I think it needs to be Nesmith or Pritchard who really step up so we can play more minutes with Tatum as a 4 because that's just the best way to get NBA caliber talent out there and not over-rely on Theis.

I have no problem with Theis being a back up. Him as a starter would pose a big problem for us. Siakam and Bam are both all stars i agree, but to have our big(Theis) getting manhandled, actually targetted, just isn’t a good look. If he can’t guard a siakam, then he’s no good guarding an embiid or a giannis. We can’t expect Horf to guard those guys on long stretches. Kornet can’t guard **** either. I watched eric paschall bully his way to rim and dunking on Kornet. We need an extra big body. Someone that can just defend and use up 6 fouls on them. I don’t know where, but i’m sure there is some one out there than can give us at least 15-18mins extra. If we have Rob, then Theis as a 3rd string center would have been fine. Now we need an additional rim protection.

There's no one out there that we're going to sign who you want 15-18 mins in a playoff game. You're asking for a level of depth that isn't realistic. We have 3 guys who are good enough to play legit minutes at the 5. Asking for a 4th isn't really practical. Anyone who's good enough to play is going to be in demand and sign somewhere that has minutes available. No quality center is going to be a FA at this point of the season anyway.

[Triple7]

Just want to be fair, Siakam and Bam are all star caliber players. Wanting your second string center to not be outmatched vs those guys is probably an unfair ask. Wanting a third string center who isn't outmatched vs those guys is definitely unfair. Theis is definitely a "legit" backup 5. I think your scale of what makes a legit backup 5 seems out of whack.

Ultimately, I think you see Horford have to be the starting 5, that way Theis can remain as the backup because he isn't good enough to start. That means Grant needs to start at the 4, which while he's solid is a huge drop off from what Rob brings to the starting lineup. I don't think we need another big because getting one isn't realistic. I think it needs to be Nesmith or Pritchard who really step up so we can play more minutes with Tatum as a 4 because that's just the best way to get NBA caliber talent out there and not over-rely on Theis.

I have no problem with Theis being a back up. Him as a starter would pose a big problem for us. Siakam and Bam are both all stars i agree, but to have our big(Theis) getting manhandled, actually targetted, just isn’t a good look. If he can’t guard a siakam, then he’s no good guarding an embiid or a giannis. We can’t expect Horf to guard those guys on long stretches. Kornet can’t guard **** either. I watched eric paschall bully his way to rim and dunking on Kornet. We need an extra big body. Someone that can just defend and use up 6 fouls on them. I don’t know where, but i’m sure there is some one out there than can give us at least 15-18mins extra. If we have Rob, then Theis as a 3rd string center would have been fine. Now we need an additional rim protection.

There's no one out there that we're going to sign who you want 15-18 mins in a playoff game. You're asking for a level of depth that isn't realistic. We have 3 guys who are good enough to play legit minutes at the 5. Asking for a 4th isn't really practical. Anyone who's good enough to play is going to be in demand and sign somewhere that has minutes available. No quality center is going to be a FA at this point of the season anyway.

Has anyone signed Tatum’s mate Harry Giles yet? That’s a legit 6’11 that can somehow defend the paint. He’s got some good stretch of games when Nurkic was out. Theis is fine backing up horf, if we play the Nets, or other teams besides the Buck and Sixers. If we want a chance to advance, we need an extra big. Giles, Bell, okafor, i think are still available.

[steefP2]

No one we would sign now is playoff eligible.

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

Robert Williams will undergo surgery for torn meniscus, has ‘optimism’ he could return this season
By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/03/robert-williams-will-undergo-surgery-for-torn-meniscus-has-optimism-he-could-return-this-season.html

Robert Williams will undergo surgery on his left knee later this week to address a torn meniscus according to Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.

Williams suffered the injury during Sunday’s win over the Timberwolves. He posted 13 points and 10 rebounds over 24 minutes before exiting the game with the injury.

According to a league source, there are likely two options for surgery on the knee to address the tear. The first would be to remove part of the meniscus (a trim). That would involve a shorter return timetable (around 4-6 weeks), potentially opening the door for Williams to return to the postseason if Boston advances past the opening round or two. The downside to that option is that it could eventually cause knee problems down the road with more wear and tear.

The other surgical option would be repairing the meniscus. That procedure would be a longer recovery timetable, effectively ending Williams’ season. Current Celtic teammate Daniel Theis had his meniscus repaired back in 2018, ending his season in March just before Boston’s playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

[djFan71]

No one we would sign now is playoff eligible.

I think they just have to have been released by 3/1, not signed by then.

[ballup]

Regardless of Rob's decision, he should be respected for choosing it.


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[Joshyjess]

Regardless of Rob's decision, he should be respected for choosing it.


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Yup, he 100% needs to do what he thinks is best for himself. Forget everything else, and do what is best for his future.

[Parliament10]

Regardless of Rob's decision, he should be respected for choosing it.


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Yup, he 100% needs to do what he thinks is best for himself. Forget everything else, and do what is best for his future.

I think that he should go for the Full Surgery. -- Which would end his Season, Playoffs included.
But, would be better for him down the road. And for the Celtics, as well (in the long run).

[50yrceltsfan]

I don't know about meniscus, but for shoulder rotator cuff, they don't know until surgery starts whether it's going to be a cleanup or a repair, where one is a 1-2 month recovery and the other is 9 months. The MRI doesn't give them enough detail to really tell what the situation is in advance.

[50yrceltsfan]

I'd like to see Kornet get more minutes. Depending on the night and the matchups, he can be effective at both ends and is a 3 point threat. He's not a stiff.

[Parliament10]

I don't know about meniscus, but for shoulder rotator cuff, they don't know until surgery starts whether it's going to be a cleanup or a repair, where one is a 1-2 month recovery and the other is 9 months. The MRI doesn't give them enough detail to really tell what the situation is in advance.

Anyone know how long was Theis' recovery, when he did the Full Surgery?

[Parliament10]

I'd like to see Kornet get more minutes. Depending on the night and the matchups, he can be effective at both ends and is a 3 point threat. He's not a stiff.

Definitely, Kornet can step up.
Though, we likely need another Big, in Rob Williams' absence?

[zoyathedestroya]

No one we would sign now is playoff eligible.

I think they just have to have been released by 3/1, not signed by then.

Vincent Poirier. Aron Baynes. Amir Johnson. Jared Sullinger. Vitor Faverani. Just a few names we can sign that would be eligible for the playoffs.