Rob Doesn't Look Right

[footey]

I'm a big fan of Rob Williams.  Small sample size, but I am concerned about his play so far this season. 

In seasons past, when Rob got the ball within 5 feet of the hoop, he would soar above others and slam it home.  It is why his FG % is so high.

This season, he seems less confident and decisive inside.  He also lacks the explosive leaping ability.  I can't recall a single time this season where you saw him a foot above the rim. Last year it happened every game.  Could be the added weight, could be trying to preserve himself for the season.  Something just seems off.

I am especially concerned with his lack of rebounding.

10 vs Knicks but that was playing 45 minutes
6 vs Raptors (28 minutes)
4 vs Rockets (28 minutes)

What's wrong with Rob?

[Atzar]

I've been watching that too.  I suspect that he just hasn't recovered all of his bounce after spending the offseason recovering from his foot/ankle injuries. 

It hasn't impacted his agility though.  He's playing defense as well as he ever has, and he's showing no limitations in his ability to run the court.  I'm not a doctor, but my guess is that he'll return to form as he plays himself into game shape. 

[SHAQATTACK]

He seems to backed off the hyper aggressiveness on every play.   I’m glade ,  he is more under control and managing his body more.  I totally believe the trainer and coaches are advising him. Pick your battles. And protect you body.  Less action yes , but if it helps keep him ready for more games that’s good.  I think Brown might need to reel in some and protect his self more .  Overall I’m pleased with Rob .  I like his more mature court presence.

[Birdman]

He is not that good is what is wrong with him.. I been saying this for 3 years..he is not a starter material.. yes, he may have one or 2 good game out of 10 then ppl think he going to burst out..a good backup playing bout 15 minutes a game is all he would be good for..

[Neurotic Guy]

He seems to backed off the hyper aggressiveness on every play.   I’m glade ,  he is more under control and managing his body more.  I totally believe the trainer and coaches are advising him. Pick your battles. And protect you body.  Less action yes , but if it helps keep him ready for more games that’s good.  I think Brown might need to reel in some and protect his self more .  Overall I’m pleased with Rob .  I like his more mature court presence.

I agree with this and the other posters except for Birdman who I think is underselling Rob's potential.   Rob hits the floor much less often this year.  I'm not talking about diving for loose balls, talking about out of control, clumsy falls.  I think the most important thing Rob can do is figure out how to avoid injury.  If he can do that, he'll optimize his skills on both ends.  Rob hasn't had too many stretches in his career without dealing with injury -- he needs to stay on the court to improve. His finishes haven't been as lightening fast but he's shown his athleticism (great backboard finish the other night on a long alley oop).   He's shown up defensively I think and his outlets are quick as always.  Great pass to Smart last night (that was Smart, right?).   

[DefenseWinsChamps]

He looks like he is playing within himself more. He's always been the type of guy that needed to load up for the big dunks.

His best skill was never his high hops, but his length and quick hops. He's looked pretty good on his 9 blocks so far this year and that's where he impacts the game the most. He's also had some really impressive passes.

It's also been pretty evident in pre-season and three games so far that he doesn't know how to play with Horford yet (and Horford to Williams). His positioning on the baseline hasn't been perfect yet, but I do think it will get there. Then, he needs to be aggressive when Horford is out of the game and the primary high post player.

[liam]

It's the new switch-heavy system that is pulling TIMELORDaway from the basket so much. He's usually switched out on a guard on D so that he's not in rebounding position.  Ime is using a very gimmicky defense that our guys aren't comfortable with yet. TIMELORD is a center and plays better as one. I think he's playing well and following his coach's instructions but the system puts him out on the perimeter too often.

[Who]

It's the new switch-heavy system that is pulling TIMELORDaway from the basket so much. He's usually switched out on a guard on D so that he's not in rebounding position.  Ime is using a very gimmicky defense that our guys aren't comfortable with yet. TIMELORD is a center and plays better as one. I think he's playing well and following his coach's instructions but the system puts him out on the perimeter too often.

Same as happened to Bosh in Miami. All that switching all too often left Bosh on the perimeter instead of fighting for rebounds in the paint.

[liam]

It's the new switch-heavy system that is pulling TIMELORDaway from the basket so much. He's usually switched out on a guard on D so that he's not in rebounding position.  Ime is using a very gimmicky defense that our guys aren't comfortable with yet. TIMELORD is a center and plays better as one. I think he's playing well and following his coach's instructions but the system puts him out on the perimeter too often.

Same as happened to Bosh in Miami. All that switching all too often left Bosh on the perimeter instead of fighting for rebounds in the paint.

Yeah, TIMELORD's best strech was when they put him on Randle at the end of the Knicks game.

[pokeKingCurtis]

He looks like he is playing within himself more. He's always been the type of guy that needed to load up for the big dunks.

His best skill was never his high hops, but his length and quick hops. He's looked pretty good on his 9 blocks so far this year and that's where he impacts the game the most. He's also had some really impressive passes.

It's also been pretty evident in pre-season and three games so far that he doesn't know how to play with Horford yet (and Horford to Williams). His positioning on the baseline hasn't been perfect yet, but I do think it will get there. Then, he needs to be aggressive when Horford is out of the game and the primary high post player.

Yeah, do you guys want flashy or do you guys want fundamentals

[86MaxwellSmart]

Maybe he's been told not to jump out of the gym on every play, so not to get hurt.

[Silas]

Maybe he's been told not to jump out of the gym on every play, so not to get hurt.

I've been thinking the same thing.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

It's the new switch-heavy system that is pulling TIMELORDaway from the basket so much. He's usually switched out on a guard on D so that he's not in rebounding position.  Ime is using a very gimmicky defense that our guys aren't comfortable with yet. TIMELORD is a center and plays better as one. I think he's playing well and following his coach's instructions but the system puts him out on the perimeter too often.

Same as happened to Bosh in Miami. All that switching all too often left Bosh on the perimeter instead of fighting for rebounds in the paint.

Yeah, TIMELORD's best strech was when they put him on Randle at the end of the Knicks game.

They saved it for late in that game and Rob shut Randle down except for one and-one.

[#1P4P]

The lack of rebounds can be attributed to the system. It’s tough to get rebounds when he’s constantly guarding a non-big on the perimeter. He had to fly in from the perimeter to even get a couple of the rebounds he got in Houston. The switch defense has advantages and disadvantages and teams know how to attack this holdover Celtics defensive system in place.

Rob probably was advised to take something off of his fastball, it’s like a relief pitcher with a 100+ MPH Fastball moving into a starter role, it’s going to be tough to maintain stamina when you’re putting 100% into every pitch. Horford is the prototype for how to stay effective without overextending yourself and I’m certain that Al’s taken it upon himself to teach Rob how to play a more conservative style to keep him injury free.

Rob’s averaging 3 blocks while defending mostly on the perimeter. TimeLord is a difficult player for opposing teams to deal with, with or without dialing it back. He’s a prolific shot blocker and he’s starting to get “it” (being in the right position at the right time and he has few weaknesses), we’re talking about a future DPOY candidate.

[footey]

Rob's lack of lift remains concerning.  Two plays in a row.