Boston Celtics: B/R views Time Lord as player “to get excited about”

When it comes to the 2021-22 NBA season, the Houdini is rather optimistic about the Boston Celtics.

After having witnessed one of their most disappointing campaigns in recent memory last year, fans are expecting something of a bounce-back performance from the ball club and, more than likely, so are the Cs themselves.

Rookie President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens, has made it a point this summer to try and build a more well-rounded roster so that his coaching successor, Ime Udoka, has a better squad to work with than he personally did in 2020-21.

From trade acquisitions like Al Horford and Josh Richardson to perhaps the biggest free agency steal in Dennis Schroder, the shamrocks have a bevy of players, both old and new, for fans to get excited about.

However, according to the folks at Bleacher Report, one player seems to stand out amongst the rest when it comes to inducing strong feelings of enthusiasm.

That man: Robert Williams III.

Citing his high potential and lofty contract extension that he signed this offseason, writer, Grant Hughes, believes that the man known as Time Lord is undoubtedly the player that the Boston Celtics faithful should be focusing their attention on heading into the year:

"Ready to contribute like an above-average starter at center. Ready to prove his gaudy averages of 15.2 points, 13.1 rebounds. 3.4 assists and 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes will hold up when his playing time increases significantly. Ready to be known more for his dominant interior defense, clever passing and Velcro-mitted rebounding than being late for stuff.Returning vet Al Horford is a security blanket. If Williams isn’t capable of avoiding foul trouble or doesn’t tone down his jumpiness on D, the Celtics could turn to Horford and Enes Kanter in the middle. But if Time Lord reaches the potential his contract suggests is within his grasp, he could bring the physicality and athleticism Boston needs to reach another level in the East’s hierarchy."

Last season proved to be somewhat of a breakout for the young center, as he managed to stay relatively healthy throughout (played in 72 percent of Boston’s games) which, in turn, allowed onlookers to get more of an elongated view of the potential that the 23-year-old possesses.

Logging 18.9 minutes per game, Williams went on to post career-bests all across the board, averaging eight points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game on an impressive 72 percent shooting from the floor.

Also seeing a career-high number of starts, the big man went about and took advantage of such opportunities, where he posted 9.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks per outing on 70.5 percent shooting while also registering a record of 10-3 during this timespan.

Though still a rather small sample size in the grand scheme of things, Robert Williams has shown glimpses of brilliance thus far during his tenure with the franchise, and the belief that his role could increase even more this coming year — assuming he stays healthy — should have all Boston Celtics fans overwhelmed with joyous emotions.