Williams finally shows some durability
LAS VEGAS — Square 1 for Robert Williams was simple over the last week.
He had to stay between the lines, and sure enough, the young Celtics center averaged 19.5 minutes over four summer league games.
For a player who lasted two minutes into last year’s summer league experience before knee soreness took hold, and whose limited playing time with the parent team didn’t provide the developmental opportunity of, say, a prolonged stint in Maine, Williams was at least able to log consistent minutes.
Whether he’s advanced as much as the Celtics would like to see is another matter. But Williams at least checked off the first box on Scott Morrison’s list.
“A great general manager once said the greatest ability is availability, and he improved that immensely. It’s the most he’s played all season,” said the Celtics assistant coach. “He stayed in there a couple of times when he was banged up and fought through it, and showed well for himself in his toughness and durability. Making sure he could play every day was the first step, and step two he showed some passing and rebounding ability that will be key for our team this year.”
Notice that Morris didn’t mention Williams’ scoring – an area where he needs the most work. But Morrison came in looking for Williams to flex his rebounding muscle, and came away impressed with what he saw.
When Williams pulled down 16 rebounds against Memphis last Thursday to go along with 16 points, Morrison called it the best rebounding performance he’s ever seen out of his center.
“Rebounding and passing. I thought it was the best I’ve ever seen him rebound, and he’s starting to show what a lot of us have seen, which is he can pass the ball,” said Morrison. “We’re just trying to put him in spots where he can make plays, doing a little bit more than his traditional package of rolling and protecting the rim. I didn’t realize he did as good of a job as he did on the glass until I looked up in the fourth and he had like 16 rebounds. So, he really cleaned it up. I was happy with him. And he had a pretty good matchup with Brandon Clarke. So good on Rob.”
Williams can think back to his two years at Texas A&M and recall more dominant rebounding moments. That, of course, was college.
“We’ve been playing a lot of good rebounding teams and Scott’s put an emphasis on me leading by example so I figured they see me on the boards, I’ll try to crash the boards too,” he said. “Just trying to lead my teammates.
“It’s not the best I’ve ever seen me rebound, nah, nah, nah, nah. But it’s obviously a confidence boost to hear that coming from coach. It’s something that I just like doing. I like doing it and I put an effort into that and like I said hopefully my teammates grasp onto the concept.”
Perhaps the greatest flair Williams has shown, though, is as a passer.
“I love working out of the high post. I love passing the ball so anytime I get to be a passer, I like it,” said Williams. “I feel like the highlow is really good for us. I feel like me and Grant (Williams) connect on the highlow a lot so hopefully we keep it going. … Yeah I’m ready to just build the chemistry. I feel like we can have a great group, I’m ready to get in the gym with everyone and build chemistry.”
In time, of course, the coaching staff will want to see more from Williams as a scorer as well. He started summer league with a couple of half-hearted midrange jumper attempts during a Game 1 win over Philadelphia. Morrison called him out on that. He wants Williams in the paint, at least until his jumper gains quite a bit more polish.
He needs to be a better finisher off pick-and-rolls, for example.
Williams ultimately drew inspiration from Tacko Fall, the 7-foot-6 center who has signed a training camp contract with the Celtics, and in the short term will continue to be Williams’ sparring partner.
“Tack taught me about patience. He taught me about patience and about listening,” said Williams “He soaks up everything. He comes and ask me questions. That’s new to me. It’s my second year. But I learned a lot from him.”
“I love Tacko, man. Tacko prepared me for a lot,” he said. “It’s hard but it’s great practicing against a sevenfooter. We teach each other so much stuff. That’s part of me being vocal, too, trying to help Tacko out.
“You can’t run from 7-foot-6. That’s always annoying, But it’s helpful.”