Boston Celtics: 3 ways Robert Williams-Al Horford duo can change offense

The Boston Celtics will share the ball more

Last season, the Boston Celtics were an isolation-heavy team. They did not move the ball well, they did not see or make high-level reads, and they did not generate good shots. They relied on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s shot creation abilities like a crutch, and it led to one of the worst offenses we have seen from the Celtics in recent memory.

Then came along Robert Williams after the trade deadline. Once Daniel Theis was dealt, and the Cs promoted Williams to starter status, the offense looked completely different. The ball was popping from side to side, the Celtics were cutting, they were pressuring the rim more, and they were getting more open shots. Boston looked like a completely different ball club with just one minor change to their rotation.

Williams’ impact on the Celtics serves as an excellent example for those who do not understand the impact bigs can have on a team’s offensive efficiency…especially passing bigs. Now that the Celtics have brought in another passing big man in Al Horford, that impact will be even more apparent.

With Horford, Boston will not lose any passing value when Williams steps off the floor. They won’t have to change how they play on offense to compensate for the loss of Williams. Horford can move the ball from side to side, perform simple kick-outs and even make high-level reads out of the post and in pick and roll. Horford’s passing abilities aren’t new, but it is crucial to understand they have not fallen off since Boston last had him.