Launch pad: Celts hope restart boosts Williams
Talk abounds of Robert Williams doing the same thing — jumping out of the gym, or in this case, whatever converted site the Celtics happen to be in at the time.
The center missed 34 games this season with a hip condition, and with each reappearance, appears to be a little more comfortable. Barring another injury, perhaps this time Williams is indeed ready for takeoff.
“The game has definitely slowed down for him,” said Marcus Smart. “You can tell, just seeing him, he looks ready and healthy to me. I mean, the dude’s head is still jumping at the rim, it’s still there. He’s still catching crazy lobs, protecting the rim and moving his feet very well. So he looks ready to us. You know only he can tell us how healthy he is, how ready he is. But allaround he looks good. And his game has definitely slowed down for him. And that’s good for us and him and for his individual progress that he wants to do. But for the team, for him to have the game slow down is critical.”
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
The Celtics, already a top-five defensive team, can clearly add another dimension with regular contributions from their best pure shot blocker and rebounder.
“I think our defense can go up another level,” Smart said of Williams’ impact. “We got somebody back there that can protect the rim. No offense to the other guys on our team, but Rob is a different type of freak of nature when it comes to athleticism, and the ability to go and change shots at the rim. So that allows us to pick up our pressure a little bit more as guards. And really, really, really just give the opposing team problems.”
That said, when the Celtics talk about Williams, the caveat remains that it’s about his potential, as opposed to tangible accomplishments.
“He’s got great vertical athleticism, he’s a good communicator on the court, knows what we’re trying to do at both ends, he gets to the rim quick on rolls, hopefully he maintains his good health,” said Brad Stevens. “At the start of the year one of the things we wanted to do was have a lot of flexibility at that spot. The guys available most of the year have done a great job. When he’s had his opportunity he’s really had some moments. We’ll hopefully be healthy and hopefully have everyone be impactful.”
‘We’re thrilled for her’
The team rejoiced when Kara Lawson was named head coach of the Duke women’s basketball program this weekend, but those the former Tennessee and WNBA star worked with closely during her one year as a Celtics assistant, including Smart, were especially happy for her.
“When Kara first got here, actually, and this is why our bond has been strong, she had the option to work with anybody. Brad gave her the option to choose who she wanted to work with, and the first person she chose was me,” said the Celtics guard. “When she told Brad the reason why, she just liked the way I play my whole game. So that really hit home for me and it meant a lot. And like I said our relationship just built (around) that and she became more than just my shooting coach, she became a longtime friend and somebody I know I can talk to if I ever need advice.”
Stevens knew in advance about Lawson’s interest in the Duke job.
“We’re thrilled for her. I can’t say enough about what a terrific person, terrific coach, she’ll be a great fit at Duke with their incredible tradition,” he said. “She’s really excited. We actually went on a walk — Kara, (Stevens’ wife) Tracy and I —a couple of months ago. And we were talking about what she’d be interested in the future, and being the head coach at Duke was one of the things that came up. So it’s really cool that she’s getting a chance to do that. She’ll be terrific.”
C’s sound off on jersey messages
Most players sound disappointed by the NBA’s decision to offer them approved options for social messages on the back of their jerseys. Enes Kanter, international human rights activist that he is, wants to wear “One World.”
The deeply-religious Semi Ojeleye would like to use, “Love Us.”
Smart has another idea. He showed up for yesterday’s Zoom conference wearing a jersey that read, “Despite color or gender.”
The choice he’d like to make is, “I matter.”
“It’s just something that speaks volumes and it kind of goes with everything that I’ve been looking at,” he said. “It’s so simple. I feel like it could have been something that could have been added to the list... Obviously a lot of guys are upset with the list.”