In his five years with the Boston Celtics, Robert Williams III blossomed into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. His ability to jump out of the gym made him a lethal lob threat at the other end of the floor. His abilities at the rim on both sides of the ball made the "Time Lord" a walking highlight reel.
As his game grew alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the former first-round pick became a part of Boston's young core. It was a group that engineered perhaps the most impressive in-season turnaround in NBA history.
The Celtics went from being 11th in the Eastern Conference in January, meaning they weren't even qualified for the play-in tournament, to finishing second in the standings. Despite their youthfulness, they got within two wins of lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
However, after failing to return to the NBA Finals the following year, the organization decided that change was needed. Out went Williams and Marcus Smart; in came Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.
Robert Williams III opens up about his trade from the Celtics
Monday night at TD Garden, after playing against his former franchise for the first time in his career, a candid Williams shared how it felt to go from being so close to helping bring banner 18 to Boston to watching them win it without him.
"I watched the whole Finals," said Williams after the Celtics' 102-94 victory vs. his Portland Trail Blazers. "I watched them win it. Me and my girl, I went through a moment of saying I was happy for my dogs, and then I went through, 'F them.' It was mixed emotions, but I'm glad they did it for sure."
He also had to process the emotions that came with being traded for the first time in his career and seeing a side of the business of basketball that he had only observed from a distance.
"To be honest, the trade was just tough the first day when I got the call," expressed Williams. "Everybody's first trade is a rough one. It was pretty simple to move on. New team, new organization, still doing the same thing. Like I said, [I'm] glad to get through the injury to where I am right now."
As for how it felt to be back in Boston:
"It's always love, man, for the Timelord here," voiced Williams. "That's where I got my nickname. It's always love."
And while he has battled through injuries, only playing in 58 games in his two-plus seasons in Portland, the 28-year-old from Shreveport, Louisiana, is now healthy and once again showcasing the impact he can make at both ends of the floor.
"Honestly, man, I'm just glad I'm here," said Williams after registering six points, two steals, and one block in his return to TD Garden. "I'm glad I'm playing back on the court. I got to play against some old friends with my new guys. I'm just happy to be back, I can't be more blessed."