Robert Williams III is back, and he’s making waves in Portland!
Blazing a Trail with the Blazers
So, here’s the scoop: Robert Williams III, the big man for the Portland Trail Blazers, showed up and showed out against the Atlanta Hawks. In just 25 minutes off the bench, he dropped 16 points, snagged eight boards, and dished out two assists. Oh, and did I mention his plus-minus was a cool +20? That’s what I call making an impact!
Williams has been battling knee issues, which kept him sidelined for most of last season. But now he’s back on the court, and it’s like he never left. The dude’s got freakish athleticism, and when he’s healthy, he’s a defensive monster. Seriously, who else can lock down guys like Anthony Edwards and Jaren Jackson Jr.? Check out this clip:
very good to see robert williams back and playing great ball on both ends
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_)
From Beantown to Rip City
Remember when Williams was tearing it up with the Celtics? Drafted 27th overall in 2018, he quickly made a name for himself in Boston. By 2022, he was an Eastern Conference champ and earned a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. Not too shabby for a guy who started as a late first-round pick.
But here’s the thing: Williams isn’t just about defense. He’s got some serious passing chops, too. I mean, the guy’s got the vision to be a triple-double threat. He even notched one during his time with the Celtics. In my opinion, his passing is one of the most underrated parts of his game.
Prime Time Potential
At 27, Williams is hitting his prime, and he’s already had a standout performance this season with a 19-point game against the Timberwolves. The Blazers might not be contenders right now, but teams like the Lakers could come sniffing around come trade deadline time. Could you imagine him in purple and gold?
The question is, can he stay healthy enough to reach his full potential? If he does, we might just see him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation again. What do you think? Is Williams the missing piece for a championship contender, or will injuries continue to hold him back?
