For starting Boston Celtics big man Robert Williams III, the money is made by lurking, patiently waiting for action. Just when his teammates do enough to manipulate a defender on the way to the rim, or when an opposing shooter thinks he’s cleared the big man, Timelord strikes. And when he strikes, it’s chaotic.
“His touches rely on other guys, and some nights he has those shots, some nights he doesn’t. But he impacts the game every night in certain ways, and obviously blocking the shots but also altering,” said head coach Ime Udoka following Boston’s 107 – 97 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
“On-ball, off-ball defense, he’s been great and really helped us move up the rankings defensively.”
“Just the threat of what he can do offensively opens up the court for other guys in the driving lanes,” explained Udoka.
“They don’t want to leave him in the dunker. So his improvement has been steady throughout the year, and we’re loving what…