Boston Celtics: 3 things Robert Williams needs to improve on in 2021-22

Area of Improvement for Robert Williams No. 3) Improve fitness

Getting down to brass tacks, the only thing standing between Robert Williams and top 10 center status is his availability.

He has played only 113 games in his three-year NBA career and just came off a season where he missed 20 games, including two pivotal playoff matchups.

Williams has a checkered injury history, and his long-term health problems have been a concern for the Boston Celtics for a while. They played a large part in Williams’ bench status early in the year and will play a significant role in his possible extension with the team.

Strictly speaking from a skill and talent perspective, Robert Williams should be a costly commodity.

However, his impact gets diminished if he is not on the floor playing. The Celtics can’t afford to clog their cap space with Williams’ deal if he misses 20-25 games a season and is still not healthy for the playoffs.

His leg condition limiting his minutes is not a problem — if he’s playing, the Boston Celtics are fine. But if he’s not, then the team may have to look elsewhere for a franchise center.

I don’t think this will happen, seeing as Williams undoubtedly knows this is his contract season.

Williams needs to get in shape, be more available for the Cs, and, more specifically, be available for the playoffs.

Udoka may have to bite the bullet for a few games when the Celtics inevitably load manage Williams. Still, it will only be against tanking teams, so the games he misses won’t impact the team’s overall record.