How Many Minutes Does Timelord Play This Season?

[bellerephon]

How many minutes in Boston? Not many. How many in Maine? A lot!

How many do you predict?

Less than 440, unless there is an injury I don't expect him to spend much time with the Celts.

Even with injuries, in your scenario you wouldn't expect much time for him in the Big Show.

This is, plausibly, the view of the Boston brass:

· Team executive on Williams’ development: “We knew he was a project when we drafted him, but a worthy one. Sometimes a project gets tossed early, but Robert is a guy we’ll go the distance with. Word of warning: Don’t put too much on this kid too early. We signed a lot of bigs for a reason.”

This quotation from Keith P. Smith's recent article (could he really not get all of those sources to go on the record?) is intriguing - the exec thinks that they can't rely on him (yet) to take a lot of responsibility, in other words, but they believe in his potential to do that.

Whether that means more minutes on the Celtics, or a lot more, is not settled by that - but if they believe in his potential as a Celtic, it's logical that he'll get a bump. I don't think that anyone is suggesting fewer minutes for him this year.

Exactly, I expect him to play most of the season with Maine.

[nickagneta]

How many minutes in Boston? Not many. How many in Maine? A lot!

How many do you predict?

Less than 440, unless there is an injury I don't expect him to spend much time with the Celts.

Even with injuries, in your scenario you wouldn't expect much time for him in the Big Show.

This is, plausibly, the view of the Boston brass:

· Team executive on Williams’ development: “We knew he was a project when we drafted him, but a worthy one. Sometimes a project gets tossed early, but Robert is a guy we’ll go the distance with. Word of warning: Don’t put too much on this kid too early. We signed a lot of bigs for a reason.”

This quotation from Keith P. Smith's recent article (could he really not get all of those sources to go on the record?) is intriguing - the exec thinks that they can't rely on him (yet) to take a lot of responsibility, in other words, but they believe in his potential to do that.

Whether that means more minutes on the Celtics, or a lot more, is not settled by that - but if they believe in his potential as a Celtic, it's logical that he'll get a bump. I don't think that anyone is suggesting fewer minutes for him this year.

Exactly, I expect him to play most of the season with Maine.

As do I. That quote from Keith Smith sealed that opinion for me. I already saw very little development in Summer League so given that, the above quote and some reports that management may have felt they made a mistake in not leaving Williams in Maine all last year, I am thinking, unless he really shows major improvement in practice and preseason from where he was in Summer League, he will be spending a vast, vast majority of the year in Maine.

[spikelovetheCelts]

I think 12 minutes a game as a season average. Because I think he will play more in games with center who score and I saw some good moves in Summer League that he moving in the right direction. It also depends if Poirier can handle the NBA as well. Tacko also may make roster that may affect him.  But More minutes as the year goes on. Theis has injury issues too. He will play some in Maine too. He is too athletic not to make the NBA. He was a high NCAA recruit back in the day.  I thiink we are in for a surprise from the Time Lord.

[footey]

I think Williams will get 2nd most minutes as a 5, only less than Kanter. Kanter’s Defensive shortcomings will limit his minutes. I’ve watched Poitier play FIBA and don’t see much there honestly. Theis is okay but can’t cover the more athletic 5s, a number of whom are in the East. I realize Williams has deficiencies especially on offensive end but do expect him to get about 10-15 minutes a game. Small ball lineups with Semi and G Williams playing 5 will be only thing keeping RW3 minutes from going higher than that.  Doubt he will spend much time in Maine. Brad will need him in Boston.

[Hoopvortex]

I think Williams will get 2nd most minutes as a 5, only less than Kanter. Kanter’s Defensive shortcomings will limit his minutes. I’ve watched Poitier play FIBA and don’t see much there honestly.

Theis is okay but can’t cover the more athletic 5s, a number of whom are in the East.

His size is an issue as well, but the mobility limits him in playing in two-big lineups. People keep projecting "Power Forward" minutes for him, probably because of his size; but the coaching staff has not historically played him there.

Williams, however, has the mobility to play as the second big in two-big lineups - a reason, potentially, why he'll get fast-tracked for minutes. Having said that, they didn't do that with him last year.

I realize Williams has deficiencies especially on offensive end but do expect him to get about 10-15 minutes a game.

I call that optimism - low-rotation minutes, making him ninth or tenth man. You're with the majority here; I myself am less optimistic, but the Celtics' optimism about his talent might well push him up the ladder. My own feeling is that he needs a steady diet of court time at this stage of his career; he's worked hard and been coachable, and showed marked progress as a playmaker and with his body in Summer League (the coaching staff also called attention to his progress in rebounding, which is a big deal if they're going to play him in lineups with only one big).

Small ball lineups with Semi and G Williams playing 5 will be only thing keeping RW3 minutes from going higher than that. 

Here I'm highly skeptical. Putting those guys in with a big (especially one who can rebound) makes sense, but I don't see any precedent for the coaching staff going as small as to use 6'7" players as a "big".

Doubt he will spend much time in Maine. Brad will need him in Boston.

I'm with you on this. Put him on a fast track. Having said that, I'm more conservative than you are - I don't think that he'll break the back end of the rotation until February or March.

When I say "fast", I mean a steady diet of spot minutes, practicing and preparing with the team, and getting a chance to prove he belongs in the rotation.

[Somebody]

I think Williams will get 2nd most minutes as a 5, only less than Kanter. Kanter’s Defensive shortcomings will limit his minutes. I’ve watched Poitier play FIBA and don’t see much there honestly.

Theis is okay but can’t cover the more athletic 5s, a number of whom are in the East.

His size is an issue as well, but the mobility limits him in playing in two-big lineups. People keep projecting "Power Forward" minutes for him, probably because of his size; but the coaching staff has not historically played him there.

Williams, however, has the mobility to play as the second big in two-big lineups - a reason, potentially, why he'll get fast-tracked for minutes. Having said that, they didn't do that with him last year.

I realize Williams has deficiencies especially on offensive end but do expect him to get about 10-15 minutes a game.

I call that optimism - low-rotation minutes, making him ninth or tenth man. You're with the majority here; I myself am less optimistic, but the Celtics' optimism about his talent might well push him up the ladder. My own feeling is that he needs a steady diet of court time at this stage of his career; he's worked hard and been coachable, and showed marked progress as a playmaker and with his body in Summer League (the coaching staff also called attention to his progress in rebounding, which is a big deal if they're going to play him in lineups with only one big).

Small ball lineups with Semi and G Williams playing 5 will be only thing keeping RW3 minutes from going higher than that. 

Here I'm highly skeptical. Putting those guys in with a big (especially one who can rebound) makes sense, but I don't see any precedent for the coaching staff going as small as to use 6'7" players as a "big".

Doubt he will spend much time in Maine. Brad will need him in Boston.

I'm with you on this. Put him on a fast track. Having said that, I'm more conservative than you are - I don't think that he'll break the back end of the rotation until February or March.

When I say "fast", I mean a steady diet of spot minutes, practicing and preparing with the team, and getting a chance to prove he belongs in the rotation.

Uh Brad loved to slot in guys like Mook at C for small periods of time. Don't underestimate his love for playing guys under 6'9 who can shoot.

[bellerephon]

I think he'll be our fourth-string center this year, and he will play a bulk of the year in Maine.

The main reason is that Kanter, Theis, and Poirier are all likely better than him. Kanter should be self-evident. Theis is an experienced player whose knee will be in better shape than last year. Maybe Williams is better than Poirier, but I would guess Poirier is still more effective because of the experience factor.

Could some of those four guys play minutes at the 4? Probably not, if you ask me. I think it's equally or more likely that Stevens plays some lineups with none of them on the floor, and with Grant Williams or Semi Ojeyele as the biggest player on the court.

If he doesn't play much this year, that doesn't mean his career is over. I think the team will be content to see him continue to improve, with the possibility of being a contributor next year. It takes time for bigs to develop and I'm sure the team understands this.

I agree with this, Time Lord will likely play most of the year in Maine. I also don't see Semi getting all that much time. He's a defensive specialist at the end of the bench, not a rotation guy.

[Surferdad]

I think he'll be our fourth-string center this year, and he will play a bulk of the year in Maine.

The main reason is that Kanter, Theis, and Poirier are all likely better than him. Kanter should be self-evident. Theis is an experienced player whose knee will be in better shape than last year. Maybe Williams is better than Poirier, but I would guess Poirier is still more effective because of the experience factor.

Could some of those four guys play minutes at the 4? Probably not, if you ask me. I think it's equally or more likely that Stevens plays some lineups with none of them on the floor, and with Grant Williams or Semi Ojeyele as the biggest player on the court.

If he doesn't play much this year, that doesn't mean his career is over. I think the team will be content to see him continue to improve, with the possibility of being a contributor next year. It takes time for bigs to develop and I'm sure the team understands this.

I agree with this, Time Lord will likely play most of the year in Maine. I also don't see Semi getting all that much time. He's a defensive specialist at the end of the bench, not a rotation guy.

Semi better come back with a more consistent 3-pt shot if he really wants to be successful in this league as a 3-and-D guy.

I can't envision Rob Williams in Maine for any significant period of time.  The front court is weak and Kanter is not a great defender.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

tree fiddy

[Hoopvortex]

I think Williams will get 2nd most minutes as a 5, only less than Kanter. Kanter’s Defensive shortcomings will limit his minutes. I’ve watched Poitier play FIBA and don’t see much there honestly.

Theis is okay but can’t cover the more athletic 5s, a number of whom are in the East.

His size is an issue as well, but the mobility limits him in playing in two-big lineups. People keep projecting "Power Forward" minutes for him, probably because of his size; but the coaching staff has not historically played him there.

Williams, however, has the mobility to play as the second big in two-big lineups - a reason, potentially, why he'll get fast-tracked for minutes. Having said that, they didn't do that with him last year.

I realize Williams has deficiencies especially on offensive end but do expect him to get about 10-15 minutes a game.

I call that optimism - low-rotation minutes, making him ninth or tenth man. You're with the majority here; I myself am less optimistic, but the Celtics' optimism about his talent might well push him up the ladder. My own feeling is that he needs a steady diet of court time at this stage of his career; he's worked hard and been coachable, and showed marked progress as a playmaker and with his body in Summer League (the coaching staff also called attention to his progress in rebounding, which is a big deal if they're going to play him in lineups with only one big).

Small ball lineups with Semi and G Williams playing 5 will be only thing keeping RW3 minutes from going higher than that. 

Here I'm highly skeptical. Putting those guys in with a big (especially one who can rebound) makes sense, but I don't see any precedent for the coaching staff going as small as to use 6'7" players as a "big".

Doubt he will spend much time in Maine. Brad will need him in Boston.

I'm with you on this. Put him on a fast track. Having said that, I'm more conservative than you are - I don't think that he'll break the back end of the rotation until February or March.

When I say "fast", I mean a steady diet of spot minutes, practicing and preparing with the team, and getting a chance to prove he belongs in the rotation.

Uh Brad loved to slot in guys like Mook at C for small periods of time. Don't underestimate his love for playing guys under 6'9 who can shoot.

I think that there's a partial truth in what you say.

Morris was always on the floor with a big - Baynes, Horford, or Theis. He guarded opponents' bigs out on the floor on occasion, when they were outside threats.

I think that Theis is underestimated as a rim-protector.

[Hoopvortex]

I think he'll be our fourth-string center this year, and he will play a bulk of the year in Maine.

The main reason is that Kanter, Theis, and Poirier are all likely better than him. Kanter should be self-evident. Theis is an experienced player whose knee will be in better shape than last year. Maybe Williams is better than Poirier, but I would guess Poirier is still more effective because of the experience factor.

Could some of those four guys play minutes at the 4? Probably not, if you ask me. I think it's equally or more likely that Stevens plays some lineups with none of them on the floor, and with Grant Williams or Semi Ojeyele as the biggest player on the court.

If he doesn't play much this year, that doesn't mean his career is over. I think the team will be content to see him continue to improve, with the possibility of being a contributor next year. It takes time for bigs to develop and I'm sure the team understands this.

I agree with this, Time Lord will likely play most of the year in Maine.

We'll have a good idea about this by Christmas; I think that he'll likely play most of the year with the Celtics, but with only spot minutes for three or four months. That they think he'll move forward this season is evident; the question is what would forward him the most - court time in the G-League, or practicing, bonding, and doing video and scouting sessions, plus drips and drabs of court time in the NBA. I can see arguments both ways, though I come down more on the side of Surferdad on this one:

I can't envision Rob Williams in Maine for any significant period of time.  The front court is weak and Kanter is not a great defender.

The issue is as much what the team needs - in other words, the opportunity that is in front of Williams - as where he stands in his development.

I also don't see Semi getting all that much time. He's a defensive specialist at the end of the bench, not a rotation guy.

Semi better come back with a more consistent 3-pt shot if he really wants to be successful in this league as a 3-and-D guy.

I think that you're both underestimating Ojeleye's upside. The big jump last year in his effectiveness finishing around the rim, and the broad repertoire of moves he used to do it, suggest that he'll be more versatile than "defensive specialist" or "3-and D guy" going forward. The departure of Marcus Morris creates an opportunity for him to break into the rotation.

Also about his 3-pt shooting and consistency: let's keep the sample size in perspective. He shot 28 of 89 from the arc; it's not implausible that he could have shot one more shot and made two more (30 of 90, in other words); then he would have been at a very acceptable .333. The point I'm making is NOT about how good he "really" is shooting from there, but about what he needs to be achieving to get rotation minutes. What would help him the most is moving the ball better and rebounding. Of course, if he could shoot .400 it wouldn't hurt his cause, but it isn't his outside shooting that has held him back.

It will certainly be interesting to track his minutes versus Grant Williams, who has a similar size.

[Hoopvortex]

 

I saw some good moves in Summer League

So did I.

Here’s one I like a lot. Good feel and timing, just good basketball:

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/07/scouting-robert-williams-a-look-at-the-boston-celtics-big-mans-progress-going-into-game-2-in-las-vegas-summer-league.html
(Scroll down to the third .gif)
Philadelphia game. Smooth move with no hesitation, drives baseline one left-hand dribble, draws two defenders; with one motion drops off the pocket bounce pass between the defenders for the hockey assist.

Here’s another slick pass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gysthgrho2k
5:40 First Memphis game. He’s up top in the Al Horford spot, delivering the perfectly timed and on-target pass to Javonte Green cutting, who then finds Grant Williams in the corner for the 3.

It also depends if Poirier can handle the NBA as well.

I think that he can.

One thing that Timelord has going for him is the potential to be on the court as a second big.

Tacko also may make roster that may affect him. 

Not much, I’d guess. Williams definitely has priority for minutes over Tacko.

But More minutes as the year goes on.

No doubt! Always provided freedom from injuries.…

 

Theis has injury issues too.

One big one - and meniscus surgery is not a good predictor for a long career, especially as young as he is.

I think we are in for a surprise from the Time Lord.

I do, too. People who have not seen progress in his game will likely be very surprised.

I think 12 minutes a game as a season average.

Love the optimism - but I don’t think that he’ll get to 12/game until February.