rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Brad Stevens may have done it again. In the ongoing search for a big man rotation capable of anchoring Boston’s next championship run, Amari Williams has flashed the traits of a player who could fit that role. The sample size is small, but Williams has already been a catalyst in several high-leverage moments this season. Let’s break down what’s driving his early success — and how he can continue developing into a center Joe Mazzulla can trust.
For a big man to have a realistic hope at playing big minutes deep into the playoffs, playing effective defense and specifically providing high level rim protection, is a prerequisite. Amari Williams’ rim protection is already jumping off the screen.
A good way to make a strong first impression on Joe Mazzulla is to check into a game because both Neemias Queta and Luka Garza are in foul trouble — then immediately deliver a game-clinching block. As Baylor Scheierman and Payton Pritchard scramble to contain Nolan Traore, Williams reads the breakdown instantly and sends the ball back the other way. He could have blocked it with his elbow if he wanted to.
Like many late-round draft projects, the bet starts with the tools. Amari Williams is an explosive athlete with a 6-foot-11 frame and a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan. In theory, that physical profile should translate into some outrageous defensive plays.
Jerami Grant does an excellent job of dislodging Amari, creating what looks like a clean look at the basket. Unfortunately for Grant, Amari Williams is able to close the gap and reject the shot comfortably. The athletic ability to be bumped, end up on your heels, but then recover for a block is absurd.
Guarding a Cade Cunningham/Jalen Duren pick and roll is a tall task for any player, let alone a second round rookie. Cade has the ability shoot from anywhere, and with his giant frame for a ball handler, it makes it easier for him to execute passes over the top of the drop defender for lobs.
Amari Williams does an awesome job of eating up the space of both the ball handler in Cunningham, while also being in position to take away the lob to Duren, who converts pick and rolls as the roll man at a 1.38 points per possession clip. That puts him in the 85th percentile. Impressive work from the rookie.
Being able to play effective drop coverage is a premium and necessary skill in today’s pick and roll heavy NBA. It’s difficult to consistently navigate the space between ball handler and lob threat, but Amari appears to have the feel, IQ, and athleticism to make it look easy at times. I love the way Amari stays down until he is sure the shot is going up, and can get to the block.
These plays are the foundation of an effective big man defender in the modern NBA.
Shifting to the offensive end, the equation remains simple. If Amari Williams can hold his own in drop coverage defensively and function as a competent roll threat offensively, then he has a clear path to being an NBA player. Early returns have been encouraging.
Amari sets a somewhat non-traditional screen in this two-man action with Derrick White. But due to Amari’s sheer size (and subtle moving screen), Jerami Grant gets held up, forcing old friend Robert Williams to step up, D White freezes Rob with a ball fake, and Amari is in perfect position to treat Celtics fans to a loud two hand slam.
I hate to invoke the name. However, anytime I see an explosive big man that collects rude blocks, loud dunks, and spicy passes, I can’t help but be reminded of Robert Williams. I hesitate to compare anyone to Rob, because the peak version of Robert Williams was a one of one type player. But I do see shades of Rob in Amari.
It’s not an overly complicated pass, but the comfort Williams shows catching the ball, faking over his right shoulder, and simultaneously dropping a pass to Hugo Gonzalez is a thing of beauty.
If that’s not enough, how about a mid-air pass to Payton Pritchard to breathe life into a Celtics team trying to steal a victory from the jaws of defeat?
There are very few six-foot-eleven guys that can catch and fire an on target pass to the wing all before they hit the ground. I am tantalized.
Amari has been stuffing the stats sheet on offense with the Cetlics G-Leauge affiliate up in Maine. Playing drop coverage requires an element of chemistry, but it’s on offense where the reps with teammates are truly required. It’s hard to fully unleash Amari Williams’ passing ability when he has had such limited court time with the Celtics main rotation players.
These are the sorts of plays that would connect with more reps. It’s a great pass from Amari, throwing Simons open for a clean midrange jumper. I would love to see Amari earn more minutes, as his passing would bring an element to the court that the Celtics are currently lacking.
There’s already plenty of promising film from a rookie who has logged just 88 total NBA minutes. It’s not hard to see a clear pathway for Amari Williams to become a high-level big. He has the size and feel to execute drop coverage competently, along with the vision and IQ to be highly effective as both a lob threat and a short-roll playmaker. Feed him more minutes, Joe Mazzulla.
