Report: Robert Williams III engaged on on-ball offense, being extra ‘egocentric’

Celtics

Williams has spent his summer season turning into extra environment friendly with the ball in his arms.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Celtics middle Robert Williams III might come into subsequent season as a a lot better offensive participant. Barry Chin/Globe Employees

Robert Williams III has had a really busy summer season.

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NBC Sports activities’ Chris Forsberg studies that Williams has been engaged on increasing his offensive recreation with expertise coach Aaron Miller. Particularly, Williams has been engaged on his on-ball offense, a comparatively unpolished talent for him.

Williams informed Miller that he needs to be extra “egocentric” with the ball, one thing that his teammates need from him.

“[Jayson Tatum is] mad at Rob when he isn’t taking photographs,” Miller informed Forsberg. “And he’s mad at Rob — not mad, however holding him accountable — when he isn’t taking photographs and when he isn’t being a menace or trying on the purpose.”

Williams possesses sharp instincts on protection—particularly close to the rim—and he has an actual knack for rebounding. He’s the proper defensive position participant to enrich a group’s star scorers equivalent to Tatum or Jaylen Brown. However Tatum is aware of that Williams is greater than only a rim runner. He desires his middle to know that as properly.

“…When Rob will get rebounds and throws it out to [Tatum or Jaylen Brown] to shoot it, I might inform you 12 different superstars within the NBA that will be so joyful as a result of they’re attempting to get their shot makes an attempt up,” mentioned Miller. “However Jayson Tatum, and I don’t know him personally, however simply within the sense of him saying, ‘Rob, we’d like you to shoot that, we’d like you,’ man, I assumed that was superb for Rob’s confidence transferring ahead.”

Miller doesn’t need Williams to restrict his offensive development to taking extra photographs, nevertheless. He’s additionally turning Williams into a greater roll man, particularly as a playmaker in short-roll alternatives.

“With as a lot consideration as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum get in handoffs and pick-and-roll actions, I do suppose there may be alternative for [Williams] to increase out 2-to-3 ft with the brief rolls,” mentioned Miller. “Or perhaps after they’re getting double-teamed to place it on the bottom, discover an open teammate within the nook.”

The now-healthy Williams will stay this group’s inside defensive anchor. In due time, Time Lord could turn out to be a real menace on offense as properly.