When the Boston Celtics went all-in last summer, they shipped out some solid players. Obviously, getting Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in return was worth it, and those two guys were crucial to the Celtics’ championship run, but losing Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, and Malcolm Brogdon in the process was significant.
Since then, all three of the guys Boston traded away have dealt with a ton of injury issues. This season, Smart and Brogdon have made it back onto the court with relative consistency, but Williams is still striving to get to that point. He’s still not quite there yet.
And the Portland Trail Blazers are learning what the Celtics already knew.
Robert Williams is an amazing defender but can't stay on the court
So far this season, Williams has appeared in 12 games. He’s played fairly well in those appearances, but he just can’t stay on the floor. Boston had to learn that over time, but the Blazers should have come into the Williams experience with that knowledge.
However, expecting it and living it are two very different things because once Williams suits up, you never want him to miss a game ever again.
Portland’s experience with Williams may be a bit different, as they have Deandre Ayton and, more importantly, Donovan Clingan to throw minutes at. But there’s no denying that the Blazers look different when Williams is on the court.
With Williams on the court, the Blazers have a 114.1 defensive rating. But when he’s off, that number jumps all the way up to 116.7. It may not seem like a huge difference, but Williams cleans up a lot of messes at the rim.
He has recorded a block in all but three of his appearances this season, and four of his 12 games have seen him block at least three shots. That’s an insane output.
But the Blazers just can’t keep him on the court. No matter how hard they try, and no matter how hard the Celtics tried for years, injuries always seem to catch up to Williams. It’s just how his body is built.
Most Boston fans would be quick to admit that they have a soft spot in their heart for Williams. Even though he got traded, the fanbase was rooting for him. They want him to get healthy. But it hasn’t happened.
And now, Portland is resigned to the same realization that the Celtics slowly made during Williams’ tenure in Boston—when Williams is on the court, he’s an otherworldly defensive player… he’s just never on the court.