Boston Celtics: 2 Unsung Heroes From Seeding Games
By Mark Nilon
Boston Celtics Unsung Hero No. 1) Robert Williams III
The Boston Celtics faithful have been devout followers of Robert Williams — aka the Time Lord — virtually since his arrival in Beantown two years ago. With his impressive athleticism coupled with his defensive-oriented skillset, his potential has been evident right from the getgo.
Unfortunately marred with various lower-body injuries since being selected 27th overall in 2018, time on the court has been scarce for the 22-year-old big.
That said, with the time spent in self-isolation due to the league’s COVID-19 hiatus Williams was able to get the proper amount of rest needed to rehabilitate from his most recent ailment of a bone edema in his left hip and, in turn, come into the Disney bubble ready to go.
Though it took a few games for Head Coach Brad Stevens to actually thrust him into some meaningful minutes, once Williams found an opportunity he seemingly ran with it.
His first game receiving meaningful minutes in the bubble came on August fifth against the Brooklyn Nets. In this game, the sophomore big-man finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks on 100 percent shooting from the floor and a box plus/ minus of +27 all while playing just over 18 minutes. The Cs would go on to route Brooklyn 149-115.
From this point on, Time Lord was a regular within Boston’s lineup.
Since this fateful day, Williams ended up finishing out the seeding-games averaging 10.4 points, four rebounds, and 1.4 blocks a game on 85 percent shooting from the field in 12.6 minutes per game.
Though he may not have been the main catalyst during the Boston Celtics’ 4-1 finish in their last five outings, he was indefinitely a major contributor and, with his play, made himself a likely recipient of extra minutes in the postseason.
All hail the Time Lord!