Boston Celtics: Robert Williams should be the C’s starting center

Boston Celtics center Robert Williams is as polarizing a talent as they come. He may have gotten the nickname “Timelord” for the inability to time things (practices, team meetings etc.) but that couldn’t be more ironic.

His timing when it comes to shot swatting, alley-oop grabbing, and passing, is elite, to say the least. He is a high flyer; in the words of C’s announcer Mike Gorman, “Just throw it up, and Rob will get it”.

As simple as that sounds, it’s true.

The now third-year pro is in the midst of the best season of his career, logging 6.6 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game, in a limited 15 minutes a night, while claiming the second-best field goal percentage in the NBA at 72%.

The craziest part of his game is how effective he is in limited minutes.

Per 75 possessions (roughly equates to that of a starter), he averages a staggering 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. As is, if Timelord were to be thrust into the starting lineup, he would already be a top 10-15 center in the league.

We here at HH have been calling for Williams to crack the starting lineup for a while now.

The Boston Celtics must consider starting Robert Williams

There are many rumors and mixed “facts” surrounding why Williams does not already obtain these minutes. However, after corroboration, the answer was finally found — Williams has a bone edema in his left hip, the same injury that sidelined him for what felt like all of last year.

Although it isn’t all that dangerous, if re-aggregated too many times, it would require surgery.

Boston is being very careful with this and wants to save Timelord for another playoff run. During last year’s run, Williams truly made a name for himself. In over 100 minutes of playing time and 20 field goals attempted in the Raptors series, Williams missed just two shots.

His playoff run as a whole was masterful, posting six points, six rebounds, and a block in just 14 minutes per game. Minute to minute, Williams may have been the most effective Celtic during that playoff run.

Brad Stevens has always been careful with Rob, and in a recent post-game interview with CLNS Media, the C’s head man said:

"”We are being very, very, very cautious with Rob. We are hoping it never exceeds a day-to-day problem.”"

It’s practically consensus that Williams should be at least getting more time than he is now. That said, the team does not want to risk losing him for an extended period of time, so as fans we have to understand.

Speaking of fans, in a recent poll on Reddit, I proposed the question “should Robert Williams be the Celtics starter?” Option one was yes, option two, no, and the third option was to start over Thompson in the infamous double-big lineup.

Out of over 600 votes, 65% voted yes, 15% no, and 20% start over Thompson.

In some way, shape, or form, 85% of Boston Celtics fans think Williams should be cracking the starting lineup. There is a multitude of ways in which the Cs can eventually incorporate Williams into the starting lineup.

The first would be to add more offense and less bigs with a Walker, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Timelord lineup. This allows for a solid lob threat, great defenders, ample shot creation, and playmaking all around.

This is a never-before-seen lineup, however I don’t see how anything could go wrong and would be the most complete lineup we have.

Then there is the case to start over Thompson, keeping the double-big lineup, and allowing Smart and TT to come off the bench. Walker, Brown, Tatum, Theis, Williams is also a pretty solid lineup.

Maybe not as much playmaking or defensive versatility present, but still a well-spaced lineup, with plenty of shot-creating ability.

In fact, Theis and Williams are quite the tandem.

Out of all the two-man lineups Boston has displayed this season with at least 40 minutes together, Williams and Theis have the best net-rating.

By comparison, Thompson is Theis’ second-worst pairing in terms of a two-man lineup. The fact that there is such a disparity between both double-big lineups, yet the worse one gets so much more time, is absolutely mind-boggling.

When the Boston Celtics play Williams at least 20 minutes, they are 4-1 this season. That is an 80% win percentage, which is over 1.5x better than their current win percentage on the season.

Williams is a difference-maker, plain and simple.

In terms of the C’s roster, Williams holds the best true shooting percentage, box plus-minus, steals and blocks percentage, as well as offensive and defensive rating. No two ways about it, outside of the Jays and Smart, Timelord has to be the most effective Celtic.

Hopefully, as the season goes on, we see more Timelord minutes, because I wholeheartedly believe he is the answer to our big man deficiencies.

Maybe come playoff time we will be seeing Robert Williams crack the starting lineup.