Rob ain’t right

[footey]

He’s playing on a sprained ankle. Still managed to get 16 boards, though. Also, they did not offer a first round pick for Poeltl.

C'mon, he has struggled with his leaping ability well before the ankle sprain. 

According to CLNS and Heavy.com (Bulpett), they offered a 1st round pick, but were outbid by Raptors since their 1st round pick more valuable.

 https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/asking-price-robert-williams-knee-drove-celtics-at-trade-deadline-sources/

[Goldstar88]

He’s playing on a sprained ankle. Still managed to get 16 boards, though. Also, they did not offer a first round pick for Poeltl.

C'mon, he has struggled with his leaping ability well before the ankle sprain. 

According to CLNS and Heavy.com (Bulpett), they offered a 1st round pick, but were outbid by Raptors since their 1st round pick more valuable.

Here’s a link from NBC Sports Boston which states that they reportedly offered the 2nd round picks. Heavy.com and their “unnamed” sources are not reliable. Rob isn’t 100%, there’s no denying that. But he’s also not out there playing on 1 leg, either. If he wasn’t healthy enough to play, he wouldn’t be playing. Good news is that Muscala seems to be a natural fit, so if Rob needs to sit out a few games, you still have good depth at the 5 with Al and Mike.

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/nba-rumors-spurs-rejected-celtics-trade-offer-jakob-poeltl-deadline?amp

[PAOBoston]

Rob's physical decline was pretty obvious in tonight's game vs the Hornets.

John Zannis of CLNS is basically saying the same thing. No lift.  No more alley oops.  Something is very off with him.  Celtics are concerned, which is why they tried to trade for Poeltl.  Even offered a first round pick with Payton and Gallo.

They need to trade for a center they can rely on in the offseason. They can’t keep doing this to themselves every year and praying this guy can stay healthy. First it was the knee. Now the ankle. If he can’t be athletic, he’s not that good.

[W8ting2McHale]

I feel like there might be some recency bias in this analysis.

I didn’t see the Hornets game so I don’t know how Rob looked on the court, but I followed the game thread. I noted the concern that he looked less athletic. I also noticed he ended up with 16 rebounds.

A prior game thread there were also comments about “Rob never dunks anymore.” That series of posts was quickly followed by screams of “What a lob from Tatum! Rob really threw that down!”

So which is it? Is Rob not explosive, or is he swatting shot attempts into the 2nd row? Is Rob not dunking, or is he throwing down lobs from Tatum? Is he not athletic enough anymore, or is he grabbing 16 rebounds?

Maybe I shouldn’t comment when I haven’t witnessed the decline (he hasn’t looked that bad in the few games I have been able to watch) but it certainly sounds a lot like all the game threads I have joined where everyone is complaining how awful we are and I think we’re doomed and down by 20 points until I quickly check the box score and discover we’re up double digits.

So until I actually witness it myself I will take this with a grain of salt.

[Csfan1984]

I feel like there might be some recency bias in this analysis.

I didn’t see the Hornets game so I don’t know how Rob looked on the court, but I followed the game thread. I noted the concern that he looked less athletic. I also noticed he ended up with 16 rebounds.

A prior game thread there were also comments about “Rob never dunks anymore.” That series of posts was quickly followed by screams of “What a lob from Tatum! Rob really threw that down!”

So which is it? Is Rob not explosive, or is he swatting shot attempts into the 2nd row? Is Rob not dunking, or is he throwing down lobs from Tatum? Is he not athletic enough anymore, or is he grabbing 16 rebounds?

Maybe I shouldn’t comment when I haven’t witnessed the decline (he hasn’t looked that bad in the few games I have been able to watch) but it certainly sounds a lot like all the game threads I have joined where everyone is complaining how awful we are and I think we’re doomed and down by 20 points until I quickly check the box score and discover we’re up double digits.

So until I actually witness it myself I will take this with a grain of salt.

Definitely better to judge based on what you see.

But even if we see a change we don't know if things are truly injury or Rob toning things down to avoid aggravating himself.

His efforts last night didn't feature quick, engaging and intimidating pressure on defense. He was flat footed vs him jumping all over and swallowing up guys. He still made a sold effort moving to the loose balls and rebounds though. I think he had a lot tipped rebounds counted. Two of which were legit and masterful tips which started breaks.

I'm still okay with a 80% TL. 80% TL can't stop time anymore but he can still slow it down 

[kraidstar]

I feel like there might be some recency bias in this analysis.

I didn’t see the Hornets game so I don’t know how Rob looked on the court, but I followed the game thread. I noted the concern that he looked less athletic. I also noticed he ended up with 16 rebounds.

A prior game thread there were also comments about “Rob never dunks anymore.” That series of posts was quickly followed by screams of “What a lob from Tatum! Rob really threw that down!”

So which is it? Is Rob not explosive, or is he swatting shot attempts into the 2nd row? Is Rob not dunking, or is he throwing down lobs from Tatum? Is he not athletic enough anymore, or is he grabbing 16 rebounds?

Maybe I shouldn’t comment when I haven’t witnessed the decline (he hasn’t looked that bad in the few games I have been able to watch) but it certainly sounds a lot like all the game threads I have joined where everyone is complaining how awful we are and I think we’re doomed and down by 20 points until I quickly check the box score and discover we’re up double digits.

So until I actually witness it myself I will take this with a grain of salt.

Definitely better to judge based on what you see.

But even if we see a change we don't know if things are truly injury or Rob toning things down to avoid aggravating himself.

His efforts last night didn't feature quick, engaging and intimidating pressure on defense. He was flat footed vs him jumping all over and swallowing up guys. He still made a sold effort moving to the loose balls and rebounds though. I think he had a lot tipped rebounds counted. Two of which were legit and masterful tips which started breaks.

I'm still okay with a 80% TL. 80% TL can't stop time anymore but he can still slow it down 

Yeah i wonder if he's holding back to avoid injury. Or is nursing some minor or recurring injuries and just doesn't want to push too hard.

A few games ago he threw down a thunderous alley-oop dunk from so high i swear he cleared the backboard.

So imo he can still leap when he wants to. Hopefully he'll be able to crank up the dial a bit in the playoffs. If he's playing at his best then we will win the championship.

[W8ting2McHale]

Rob is looking fine today against Memphis. Flushes a nice alley oop. And Celtics defensive rating has risen from 20 into the top 5. 

Timelord on time today.

[Neurotic Guy]

Looked right today.  Maybe not from 3.

[liam]

Looked right today.  Maybe not from 3.

It did hit the rim...

Refs need glasses...

[CelticsWhat35]

Looked right today.  Maybe not from 3.

It did hit the rim...

Refs need glasses...

Can someone please explain to me how they still called it a 24-second violation after review when it clearlt hit the rim?

[liam]

Looked right today.  Maybe not from 3.

It did hit the rim...

Refs need glasses...

Can someone please explain to me how they still called it a 24-second violation after review when it clearlt hit the rim?

Refs... No consequences for them, ever!

[Phantom255x]

Looked right today.  Maybe not from 3.

It did hit the rim...

Refs need glasses...

Can someone please explain to me how they still called it a 24-second violation after review when it clearlt hit the rim?

I'm telling you, replay doesn't work. In all of sports (besides maybe soccer where I actually think it's effective). Usually when it's a "close call" it's usually always what the ref/umpire called on the field, or "not obvious to overturn".  It's good for the obvious/blatant missed calls or plays, but otherwise it still isn't that effective if you ask me.

Like the fact that it took forever for them to even decide tells me they thought it probably hit the rim, but it wasn't "clear and obvious" so they decided to keep it as what was called on the court

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I love the way Rob Williams moves the ball. He needs to add a few more moves/counter-moves to his game, but I could see him being a 5apg big man if he continues to develop.

[Phantom255x]

Yeah, I was stunned he attempted that 3

 

(I really wish it went in, if it did the entire Garden would have absolutely erupted lol)

[gouki88]

He is rebounding at a career best rate and fouling at his lowest per-possession rate ever. Also career-highs in effective FG% and true shooting %.

He might not be getting as many counting stats defensively, but he is still massively impactful.