Robert Williams had his work ethic questioned during his time with Texas A&M basketball, and he hasn’t done much to alleviate that concern with the Boston Celtics.
Former Texas A&M basketball star Robert Williams slid farther in the 2018 NBA Draft than most experts predicted in their mock drafts, but the main reason had nothing to do with his actual basketball skills.
Experts correctly assessed Williams didn’t always give 100 percent on the court. Maybe it was due to being clearly the most athletically gifted player on the court most nights. Maybe it was due to playing in an offense that didn’t suit his ability. Maybe it was due to trying, and failing, to improve his scoring ability.
Whatever the reason, Williams didn’t bring it every single night, and scouts noticed. Falling to No. 27 overall to the Boston Celtics wasn’t simply due to the fact that he doesn’t have an outside game.
So far, the Louisiana native hasn’t done much to alleviate those character concerns. First, he missed a conference call the morning after he was drafted. That could be excused. It was the morning after possibly the best night of his life and he was with family and friends.
However, after missing his flight and missing the first practice for the Boston Celtics’ summer league team, it might be time to worry.
For what it’s worth, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said Williams has been in the gym every day and working his butt off.
Brad Stevens says Robert Williams has been in the gym every day thus far and got a workout in already this morning at 630.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) June 29, 2018
You would think, given the very public concerns about his work ethic, that he would be doing everything in his power to prove his critics wrong. That doesn’t seem to be the case.
Next: Top 10 Robert Williams highlights from 2018
Luckily for the Celtics, they have the luxury of taking a bargain on Williams, who could still turn out to be an incredible player for the Eastern Conference favorites. Time heals, and if he has no more incidents like these it will be water under the bridge. But it has been a rocky start to Williams’ NBA career
Jeff Shull is the Site Expert for the Gig Em Gazette on FanSided. Follow him on Twitter, and be sure to follow the Gig Em Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.