How Robert Williams evolved for the Boston Celtics this season

The Boston Celtics have spent three years trying to figure out the best way to utilize Robert Williams on their team. Along the way, the Celtics have patiently waited to see if Williams could evolve into an NBA caliber starting center. Through multiple stints in the G-League, Williams just needed the proper minutes necessary enough to gain the experience to excel for the Celtics on a nightly basis. However, the C’s always knew that Williams had the potential to be a contributing factor for their team.

Robert Williams continues his impressive run just when the Boston Celtics need it most

When the season first started, there were concerns regarding the center position in Boston. The Celtics had just acquired Tristan Thompson to join Williams and Daniel Theis as a three-headed monster center rotation. But the biggest challenge that arose with this was trying to find a way to delegate minutes to all three players, who are all starting-caliber centers in the NBA. It came down to Celtics coach Brad Stevens having to utilize a double-big lineup that equipped Theis and Thompson on the floor together to start games.

Although the concept of utilizing a double-big lineup sounds great, it doesn’t necessarily work against every team. A team that plays a small ball lineup and can open the floor with 3-point shooting, for example, will tear apart a lineup that features two big men. And unfortunately, the Celtics saw that happen far too often. After readjusting the rotation, the Celtics have seen better production from their center position after steering away from the double-big lineup.

However, Williams didn’t take too much part in the double-big lineup. Williams, for the most part, was one of the first players off the bench in these types of situations. Mainly because of Williams, it did give the Celtics a variety of rotational switches to use at their disposal. Having an extremely athletic and talented player like Williams allows a coach like Stevens to throw him into the mix with whoever is on the floor.

The Boston Celtics should be ready for Williams to officially take over the starting center position

It’s fair to say that once the Celtics felt 100 percent confident in what they have in Williams, they made a plan heading into the NBA’s trading deadline. As a result, Boston traded away Theis to the Chicago Bulls. And with Thompson being out for close to three weeks now following the league’s health and safety protocols, Williams has been holding down the center position with great pride for the Boston Celtics.

In doing so, Williams had a perfect game in the Celtics’ most recent matchup with the Houston Rockets. He scored 20 points in 26 minutes on an impressive 9-9 shooting from the field and added nine rebounds and eight assists in his fourth start of the season for the Celtics. This wasn’t the first time Williams shot 100 percent from the floor this season. However, his stat line did join him with some pretty elite company.

According to NBA Statmuse, Williams joins Nikola Jokic and Wilt Chamberlain as the only centers with a 20-point, eight-rebound, and eight-assist game on 100 percent shooting in NBA history.

This is what Williams said after the Boston Celtics earned a victory on his career night against the Rockets last week.

"“My performance tonight is strictly a confidence booster, 1,000 percent. I just see my job as being the defensive anchor, kind of the quarterback seeing everything, directing people, scrambling my little guys out. That’s my job. It’s that comfortability but obviously getting more comfortable with the more minutes I play. I feel like if it stays that way I’m going to get better.” – Robert Williams, via Souichi Terada of MassLive"

Williams hit the nail on the head when he said that he’s only going to get better with the more minutes that he plays. That’s been the story for Williams throughout the start of his young career. He’s a very intelligent player that just needed the experience of playing meaningful minutes.  Jayson Tatum seems to believe the same type of logic regarding Williams’ transition into a starting player.

"“It’s amazing to see the growth that Rob and all the work that he’s put in from his first year. The difference that he makes, just being out there on the floor. Man, Rob is special. I love playing with him. He’s an underrated passer. I think that’s one of the best things that he does, and obviously his rim protection, plays above the rim, and just his voice.” – Jayson Tatum, via Souichi Terada of MassLive"

Williams has started seven games in his career for the Boston Celtics. Four of which came from this season. In his four games as a starter, Williams is averaging 10.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 70.8 percent from the field. Furthermore, Williams has 76 total blocks on the season, which ranks him seventh in the NBA this season.

The Boston Celtics have an entire package with Williams at the center position. He can score, pass, defend, and facilitate. Williams should remain the clear starter for the rest of the season. While the future of the front-court for the Celtics is going to be in great shape for a long time.