Boston on the brink of elimination, with Game 6 in Philadelphia to negotiate, Joe Mazzulla released the Robert Williams card. The pivot was however a substitute since the start of the playoffs, when one can wonder if he is 100% physically, but he therefore resumed his place in the five for this life and death match.
Derrick White found the bench, but the Celtics unanimously welcomed their coach’s tactical choice.
” I was delighted “ explains Marcus Smart. “Being able to rely on Rob changes a lot of things in the game. It allows you to have a lob threat, a threat to the circle, which can protect the circle on the other side of the floor. He’s huge for us, and I was proud to have him on the pitch.”
In 28 minutes, Robert Williams has compiled 10 points (4/7 shooting), 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Above all, his tenure relieved Al Horford, targeted by the Sixers on the pick-and-roll in the previous game.
“I’m glad Joe made that adjustment because what a difference! » thus dropped the Dominican. “I was happy that it happened. We know Rob’s impact on the pitch. When Rob’s not around, I kind of have to…I feel like a lot is on my shoulders, and when he’s around, I know he’s behind me, and I can be a little bit more aggressive, I can do different things. »
Without Robert Williams, a huge part of the Celtics’ defensive structure does indeed rest on Al Horford. With Robert Williams, the veteran is no longer under so much pressure. But he is not the only one in this case and the players of Massachusetts were therefore able to increase their defensive pressure, in this harsh match which smelled good of the Eastern Conference.
“It won’t be perfect. Joe is not perfect. He has been placed in an extremely difficult situation this year and he is doing his best. And that’s all we can ask for”
For Marcus Smart, who had defended Joe Mazzulla the day before, this adjustment, obviously made in consultation with the group, is part of the learning process of his young coach.
“It shows that Joe is learning, like all of us. I know it has been criticized a lot, and rightly so. He needs to make some adjustments. And that’s what he did. And that’s all we can ask of him: to continue to give the best of himself. It concerns everyone. It’s a whole team effort… But it helps us as players. When we think about it, we teach him something, and we teach ourselves things. We get to know each other better. It allows Jayson (Tatum), Jaylen (Brown) and myself to be more vocal on the court and find solutions, and we do that together. »
While Joe Mazzulla sang the praises of Marcus Smart, the “quarterback” of his defense in this Game 6 with Robert Williams (the two players posted the best +/- of the match at +18), the point guard returned the favor .
“It won’t be perfect. Joe is not perfect. He has been placed in an extremely difficult situation this year and he is doing his best. And that’s all we can ask for. We will continue to struggle for him, just as he will continue to struggle for us. he concludes thus.
| Robert Williams | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 32 | 9 | 70.6 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 29 | 13 | 72.7 | 0.0 | 64.7 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 5.2 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 52 | 19 | 72.1 | 0.0 | 61.6 | 2.6 | 4.3 | 6.9 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 8.0 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 61 | 30 | 73.6 | 0.0 | 72.2 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 9.6 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 10.0 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 35 | 24 | 74.7 | 0.0 | 61.0 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 8.3 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 8.0 |
| Total | 209 | 21 | 73.2 | 0.0 | 65.6 | 2.6 | 4.3 | 6.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 7.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
