Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 6, 2009 10:38:13 GMT -5
Brian Scalabrine #44 PF
2009-10 Projected PER: 6.73
League Average Comparison: -8.27
2008-09 PER: 7.40
2008-09 STATS
PPG RPG BPG
3.5 1.3 0.3
Birth Date March 18, 1978
Birth Place Long Beach, CA
Age 31
Weight 235 lbs.
Height 6-9
Pronounced SCAL-uh-BREE-nee
Position PF
Experience 8 years
College USC
Salary 2010: $3,413,793
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2002-03 .402 .833 9.9 7.8 2.5 48.7 16.6 16.6 13.5 11.1 8.65
2003-04 .395 .829 10.3 7.5 2.8 48.2 18.3 11.8 13.6 11.0 9.51
2004-05 .398 .768 11.6 8.4 3.0 46.8 17.0 12.8 16.0 12.6 11.08
2005-06 .383 .722 8.7 4.9 2.2 49.1 16.5 16.1 11.5 7.4 5.88
2006-07 .403 .783 8.4 4.1 2.3 53.7 19.4 14.5 10.3 6.1 6.62
2007-08 .309 .750 6.9 6.2 3.1 42.8 23.7 15.4 11.3 9.2 5.18
2008-09 .421 .889 10.8 4.0 1.4 55.8 11.8 7.9 11.3 6.0 7.40
2009-10 (projected) .400 .849 9.1 4.6 1.6 53.6 14.1 8.7 9.9 7.0 6.73
2008-09 season: The canary in the coal mine for the decline of the Celtics' bench, Scalabrine sat in civilian clothing for the 2008 playoffs but became a rotation player in 2009. He wasn't any different -- just the talent around him changed.
Scalabrine enjoyed the best shooting season of his career, hitting 39.1 percent of his 3s, posting a solid 55.8 true shooting percentage, and managing not to turn the ball over. That helped him add some utility on offense despite being an infrequent participant (62nd out of 65 power forwards in usage rate).
Statistically, however, his performance remained disastrous. His 6.0 rebound rate was bested by all three of Boston's point guards, and it goes without saying that it ranked dead last among power forwards. He also averaged better than a foul every seven minutes, which was the sixth-most at his position.
Scalabrine defended well, and that was worth something -- Boston turned to him against Orlando's Rashard Lewis when other options didn't work, and Scalabrine fared well. He's a better player than his PER suggests, but if you're 62nd at your position in PER and it was your best mark in four seasons, you'd better be.
Scouting report: A useful end-of-the-bench guy because he's smart, defends and accepts his role, Scalabrine's weaknesses announce themselves in more meaningful dollops of playing time. He can't create his own shot and is barely adequate as a spot-up shooter on 3s. When he steps in for long 2s, he's positively atrocious (31.0 percent over the past five seasons).
On a positive note, he's a decent ballhandler for his size and moves the ball quickly if he doesn't have a shot. Additionally, he seldom shoots early in the clock, so he's not taking attempts off better players' plates.
Although he's a singularly awful rebounder, Scalabrine is a very good team defender who understands how to help on the weak side and willingly takes charges. He has a thick build and uses his body to push out post players, plus he moves well enough to defend reasonably well against pick-and-rolls. Though theoretically a combo forward, he's much more valuable when he plays up front, as quick forwards expose him when he plays at the 3. The way the NBA has evolved, he's basically a pure 4 at this point.
2009-10 outlook: With the addition of Rasheed Wallace and the return of Kevin Garnett, Scalabrine won't play as much as he did a season ago -- particularly in the postseason. If he stays confined to a role as Boston's fifth big man, he has some utility because he'll defend and stay out of the way offensively unless he gets an open J. But that's the maximum amount of daylight he should see on a contending team. He also has an expiring deal taking up $3 million in cap space, so it's possible he'll have a new home by the trade deadline.
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Bill Walker #12 SG
2009-10 Projected PER: --
League Average Comparison: -15.00
2008-09 PER: 10.94
2008-09 STATS
PPG APG 3P%
3 0.4 .000
Birth Date October 9, 1987
Birth Place Huntington, WV
Age 21
Weight 220 lbs.
Height 6-6
Position SG
Experience 1 years
College Kansas State
Salary 2010: $736,420
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
Status Alert:
Walker underwent successful right knee surgery on Friday, the Boston... (+)
Walker underwent successful right knee surgery on Friday, the Boston Globe reports. (Oct 2)
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2008-09 .621 .696 16.3 5.4 2.4 64.6 13.1 18.2 17.0 8.2 10.94
No projected stats available for this player.
2008-09 season: Collegiate knee injuries undermined Walker's star potential, but he showed promise in the brief glimpses we saw of him. He earned 216 minutes and shot 62.1 percent from the floor -- including a spectacular 27-of-38 in the immediate basket area -- while averaging 16.3 points per 40 minutes and performing solidly on the boards.
Those shots came at a high cost, however, as Walker's turnover rate shot through the roof at 18.2. We saw a similar trend in the 15 D-League games he played for the
Celtics' affiliate in Utah. He shot 55.7 percent from the floor and rebounded well, but once again his assist and turnover numbers were atrocious.
Scouting report: Walker was an elite athlete prior to the knee injuries, and his ability to score and finish last season demonstrated that the injuries haven't destroyed his athleticism. He shot reasonably well from outside, too, making 12-of-30 3-pointers in the D-League and 6-of-11 long 2s in The Show. He's a poor foul shooter, however, and since he's a slasher he gets to the line quite a bit. Thus, improving from the stripe could reap big dividends.
2009-10 outlook: Walker may see some more D-League run early in the season, but he could be in the parent team's plans by the second half of the season. He's unquestionably a promising prospect in the mold of Tony Allen, and rookies who have high turnover rates tend to progress much better in subsequent seasons than those who don't. Given Boston's lack of imposing talent off the bench, he could easily break through into a rotation spot this season to back up Paul Pierce. Tony Allen should be his main competition.
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Rasheed Wallace #30 FC
2009-10 Projected PER: 14.42
League Average Comparison: -0.58
2008-09 PER: 14.91
2008-09 STATS
PPG RPG BPG
12 7.4 1.3
Birth Date September 17, 1974
Birth Place Philadelphia, PA
Age 35
Weight 230 lbs.
Height 6-11
Position FC
Experience 14 years
College North Carolina
Drafted 1995: 1st Rnd, 4th by WAS
Salary 2010: $5,854,000
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2002-03 .471 .735 20.0 8.2 2.3 55.2 10.2 9.3 21.3 12.3 18.44
2003-04 .436 .736 18.2 7.7 2.6 51.0 11.6 8.9 27.4 8.1 17.91
2004-05 .440 .697 17.0 9.6 2.1 49.9 10.0 9.0 20.5 14.0 16.41
2005-06 .430 .743 17.4 7.9 2.6 52.7 12.9 6.0 19.4 11.7 17.70
2006-07 .423 .788 15.3 9.0 2.1 51.3 11.3 8.4 18.1 13.3 15.81
2007-08 .432 .767 16.7 8.7 2.3 52.3 11.8 7.4 19.2 13.0 17.13
2008-09 .419 .772 15.0 9.2 1.7 52.0 10.0 6.5 17.0 13.7 14.91
2009-10 (projected) .419 .738 13.9 8.8 1.7 51.7 10.2 6.5 15.6 13.2 14.42
2008-09 season: Wallace looked checked out from the opening bell last season. Leg injuries contributed to his struggles, but he also added weight. Worse yet, he appeared content to lob up 3s and avoid taking defenders into the post even when he had an overwhelming advantage.
Wallace took only 90 shots in the immediate basket area the entire season. They represented just 12.5 percent of his total shots, barely half the total of a season earlier. On the flip side, nearly half of Wallace's attempts were 3-pointers and his free-throw attempts withered to just 1.5 per game. Only five power forwards averaged fewer free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt.
Although he shoots lots of 3s, he is only average from out there, making just over 35 percent for the fourth consecutive season. At least he avoids turnovers by staying outside, as his turnover rate was the fourth-best at his position. Positioned beyond the arc most of the time, Wallace abandoned any pretense of going for offensive rebounds. He grabbed just 3.1 percent of his team's misses, placing him 62nd out of the league's 65 power forwards.
Scouting report: Wallace's length and shooting ability turn him into a fearsome weapon in the low post when he's motivated to play there. He shot 50.2 percent on inside shots last season, but he doesn't like physical play and will begin drifting toward the perimeter if things get chippy … or sometimes even if they don't.
Wallace's length and mobility make him an elite defensive player, especially combined with his smarts at that end. He didn't compete with as much zeal last season and it showed in his defense as much as his offense, but he's still an ace at challenging shots and working the defensive board.
One of the league's most renowned hotheads, Wallace picked up 17 technical fouls last season to rank second only to Golden State's Stephen Jackson; Wallace didn't earn a mandatory one-game suspension because two of them were rescinded. He'll fit right in with the Celtics, who finished second in the NBA in T's without Wallace.
2009-10 outlook: Wallace signed a two-season deal with Boston for the full midlevel exception, hoping to give the Celtics two things they lacked a season ago -- a big man who can space the floor with 3-point shooting and a reliable fallback if Kevin Garnett's knee causes him to miss time.
As gambles go, it's an eminently reasonable one. Wallace didn't come expensively and he fills an important need, and Boston's risk is limited by the short term of the deal. That said, Wallace's decline last season had to be worrisome. While he has the two traits most associated with player longevity -- size and shooting ability -- he still needs to stay fit and maintain his competitive fire. Both seemed in question last season.
If Wallace shows up in shape and goes into the post once in a while, his defense and selflessness will be huge assets in the Celtics' quest to regain their crown. But with his decline last season at age 34 and his worrisome history of combusting at the worst possible time, whether he does so is open to question.
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Shelden Williams #13 PF
2009-10 Projected PER: 13.49
League Average Comparison: -1.51
2008-09 PER: 13.78
2008-09 STATS
PPG RPG BPG
4.1 3.4 0.4
Birth Date October 21, 1983
Birth Place Oklahoma City, OK
Age 25
Weight 250 lbs.
Height 6-9
Position PF
Experience 3 years
College Duke
Salary 2010: $825,497
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2006-07 .455 .764 11.7 11.5 1.2 51.8 7.7 16.9 14.5 17.3 12.39
2007-08 .434 .676 13.1 10.6 1.0 49.4 6.1 11.2 13.7 15.5 12.06
2008-09 .446 .730 14.5 12.0 0.9 50.3 5.2 14.7 16.7 17.5 13.78
2009-10 (projected) .446 .729 13.8 11.2 1.0 50.8 6.0 13.7 16.2 16.5 13.49
2008-09 season: Williams showed up overweight and never gained traction, failing to secure a rotation spot even though he played for two of the worst teams in the league, the Kings and Wolves. He got a bit of a raw deal, perhaps, as he proved to be a very effective rebounder and his PER was acceptable for a backup center. Williams ranked 20th among centers in rebound rate and, oddly enough, topped all centers in steals per minute.
Once again, however, he shot blanks. Williams hit only 44.6 percent from the floor, but it didn't stop him from shooting willingly from 15 feet at every opportunity. He drew a high rate of fouls and averaged a solid 14.5 points per 40 minutes overall, but only by generating boatloads of empty trips along the way. Given those numbers and his dreadful ballhandling (62nd out of 67 centers in pure point rating), he needs to stick to the boards and leave the offense to others.
Scouting report: Williams has the size and power to defend opposing big men and battle under the boards, factors that make him a useful end-of-rotation big man who can use his fouls and block shots. He plays hard at this end and has good shot-blocking instincts, and those attributes should keep his career afloat.
That is, if his shooting doesn't sink it. Williams struggles to convert midrange jumpers and defenses routinely concede the shot to him, but he fires the shot willingly. He can snag some buckets on putbacks because he's such a good rebounder, but too often he has to stop and gather himself before going back up. That allows the defense to recover which, combined with Williams' lack of elevation, translates into as many blocked short-range shots as any player in basketball.
2009-10 outlook: Williams signed a one-season deal with Boston for $1.3 million, where he'll get a chance to resuscitate his career as a fifth big man. Coach Doc Rivers tends to use his whole bench, so Williams should get a fair share of opportunities, but it won't matter if he's not in better shape. That said, this was a good value signing for the Celtics. Williams is young enough to improve, and his numbers from this first three seasons, while disappointing for a No. 5 overall pick, are far better than those of most No. 3 centers.
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2009-10 Projected PER: 6.73
League Average Comparison: -8.27
2008-09 PER: 7.40
2008-09 STATS
PPG RPG BPG
3.5 1.3 0.3
Birth Date March 18, 1978
Birth Place Long Beach, CA
Age 31
Weight 235 lbs.
Height 6-9
Pronounced SCAL-uh-BREE-nee
Position PF
Experience 8 years
College USC
Salary 2010: $3,413,793
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2002-03 .402 .833 9.9 7.8 2.5 48.7 16.6 16.6 13.5 11.1 8.65
2003-04 .395 .829 10.3 7.5 2.8 48.2 18.3 11.8 13.6 11.0 9.51
2004-05 .398 .768 11.6 8.4 3.0 46.8 17.0 12.8 16.0 12.6 11.08
2005-06 .383 .722 8.7 4.9 2.2 49.1 16.5 16.1 11.5 7.4 5.88
2006-07 .403 .783 8.4 4.1 2.3 53.7 19.4 14.5 10.3 6.1 6.62
2007-08 .309 .750 6.9 6.2 3.1 42.8 23.7 15.4 11.3 9.2 5.18
2008-09 .421 .889 10.8 4.0 1.4 55.8 11.8 7.9 11.3 6.0 7.40
2009-10 (projected) .400 .849 9.1 4.6 1.6 53.6 14.1 8.7 9.9 7.0 6.73
2008-09 season: The canary in the coal mine for the decline of the Celtics' bench, Scalabrine sat in civilian clothing for the 2008 playoffs but became a rotation player in 2009. He wasn't any different -- just the talent around him changed.
Scalabrine enjoyed the best shooting season of his career, hitting 39.1 percent of his 3s, posting a solid 55.8 true shooting percentage, and managing not to turn the ball over. That helped him add some utility on offense despite being an infrequent participant (62nd out of 65 power forwards in usage rate).
Statistically, however, his performance remained disastrous. His 6.0 rebound rate was bested by all three of Boston's point guards, and it goes without saying that it ranked dead last among power forwards. He also averaged better than a foul every seven minutes, which was the sixth-most at his position.
Scalabrine defended well, and that was worth something -- Boston turned to him against Orlando's Rashard Lewis when other options didn't work, and Scalabrine fared well. He's a better player than his PER suggests, but if you're 62nd at your position in PER and it was your best mark in four seasons, you'd better be.
Scouting report: A useful end-of-the-bench guy because he's smart, defends and accepts his role, Scalabrine's weaknesses announce themselves in more meaningful dollops of playing time. He can't create his own shot and is barely adequate as a spot-up shooter on 3s. When he steps in for long 2s, he's positively atrocious (31.0 percent over the past five seasons).
On a positive note, he's a decent ballhandler for his size and moves the ball quickly if he doesn't have a shot. Additionally, he seldom shoots early in the clock, so he's not taking attempts off better players' plates.
Although he's a singularly awful rebounder, Scalabrine is a very good team defender who understands how to help on the weak side and willingly takes charges. He has a thick build and uses his body to push out post players, plus he moves well enough to defend reasonably well against pick-and-rolls. Though theoretically a combo forward, he's much more valuable when he plays up front, as quick forwards expose him when he plays at the 3. The way the NBA has evolved, he's basically a pure 4 at this point.
2009-10 outlook: With the addition of Rasheed Wallace and the return of Kevin Garnett, Scalabrine won't play as much as he did a season ago -- particularly in the postseason. If he stays confined to a role as Boston's fifth big man, he has some utility because he'll defend and stay out of the way offensively unless he gets an open J. But that's the maximum amount of daylight he should see on a contending team. He also has an expiring deal taking up $3 million in cap space, so it's possible he'll have a new home by the trade deadline.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Walker #12 SG
2009-10 Projected PER: --
League Average Comparison: -15.00
2008-09 PER: 10.94
2008-09 STATS
PPG APG 3P%
3 0.4 .000
Birth Date October 9, 1987
Birth Place Huntington, WV
Age 21
Weight 220 lbs.
Height 6-6
Position SG
Experience 1 years
College Kansas State
Salary 2010: $736,420
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
Status Alert:
Walker underwent successful right knee surgery on Friday, the Boston... (+)
Walker underwent successful right knee surgery on Friday, the Boston Globe reports. (Oct 2)
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2008-09 .621 .696 16.3 5.4 2.4 64.6 13.1 18.2 17.0 8.2 10.94
No projected stats available for this player.
2008-09 season: Collegiate knee injuries undermined Walker's star potential, but he showed promise in the brief glimpses we saw of him. He earned 216 minutes and shot 62.1 percent from the floor -- including a spectacular 27-of-38 in the immediate basket area -- while averaging 16.3 points per 40 minutes and performing solidly on the boards.
Those shots came at a high cost, however, as Walker's turnover rate shot through the roof at 18.2. We saw a similar trend in the 15 D-League games he played for the
Celtics' affiliate in Utah. He shot 55.7 percent from the floor and rebounded well, but once again his assist and turnover numbers were atrocious.
Scouting report: Walker was an elite athlete prior to the knee injuries, and his ability to score and finish last season demonstrated that the injuries haven't destroyed his athleticism. He shot reasonably well from outside, too, making 12-of-30 3-pointers in the D-League and 6-of-11 long 2s in The Show. He's a poor foul shooter, however, and since he's a slasher he gets to the line quite a bit. Thus, improving from the stripe could reap big dividends.
2009-10 outlook: Walker may see some more D-League run early in the season, but he could be in the parent team's plans by the second half of the season. He's unquestionably a promising prospect in the mold of Tony Allen, and rookies who have high turnover rates tend to progress much better in subsequent seasons than those who don't. Given Boston's lack of imposing talent off the bench, he could easily break through into a rotation spot this season to back up Paul Pierce. Tony Allen should be his main competition.
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Rasheed Wallace #30 FC
2009-10 Projected PER: 14.42
League Average Comparison: -0.58
2008-09 PER: 14.91
2008-09 STATS
PPG RPG BPG
12 7.4 1.3
Birth Date September 17, 1974
Birth Place Philadelphia, PA
Age 35
Weight 230 lbs.
Height 6-11
Position FC
Experience 14 years
College North Carolina
Drafted 1995: 1st Rnd, 4th by WAS
Salary 2010: $5,854,000
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2002-03 .471 .735 20.0 8.2 2.3 55.2 10.2 9.3 21.3 12.3 18.44
2003-04 .436 .736 18.2 7.7 2.6 51.0 11.6 8.9 27.4 8.1 17.91
2004-05 .440 .697 17.0 9.6 2.1 49.9 10.0 9.0 20.5 14.0 16.41
2005-06 .430 .743 17.4 7.9 2.6 52.7 12.9 6.0 19.4 11.7 17.70
2006-07 .423 .788 15.3 9.0 2.1 51.3 11.3 8.4 18.1 13.3 15.81
2007-08 .432 .767 16.7 8.7 2.3 52.3 11.8 7.4 19.2 13.0 17.13
2008-09 .419 .772 15.0 9.2 1.7 52.0 10.0 6.5 17.0 13.7 14.91
2009-10 (projected) .419 .738 13.9 8.8 1.7 51.7 10.2 6.5 15.6 13.2 14.42
2008-09 season: Wallace looked checked out from the opening bell last season. Leg injuries contributed to his struggles, but he also added weight. Worse yet, he appeared content to lob up 3s and avoid taking defenders into the post even when he had an overwhelming advantage.
Wallace took only 90 shots in the immediate basket area the entire season. They represented just 12.5 percent of his total shots, barely half the total of a season earlier. On the flip side, nearly half of Wallace's attempts were 3-pointers and his free-throw attempts withered to just 1.5 per game. Only five power forwards averaged fewer free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt.
Although he shoots lots of 3s, he is only average from out there, making just over 35 percent for the fourth consecutive season. At least he avoids turnovers by staying outside, as his turnover rate was the fourth-best at his position. Positioned beyond the arc most of the time, Wallace abandoned any pretense of going for offensive rebounds. He grabbed just 3.1 percent of his team's misses, placing him 62nd out of the league's 65 power forwards.
Scouting report: Wallace's length and shooting ability turn him into a fearsome weapon in the low post when he's motivated to play there. He shot 50.2 percent on inside shots last season, but he doesn't like physical play and will begin drifting toward the perimeter if things get chippy … or sometimes even if they don't.
Wallace's length and mobility make him an elite defensive player, especially combined with his smarts at that end. He didn't compete with as much zeal last season and it showed in his defense as much as his offense, but he's still an ace at challenging shots and working the defensive board.
One of the league's most renowned hotheads, Wallace picked up 17 technical fouls last season to rank second only to Golden State's Stephen Jackson; Wallace didn't earn a mandatory one-game suspension because two of them were rescinded. He'll fit right in with the Celtics, who finished second in the NBA in T's without Wallace.
2009-10 outlook: Wallace signed a two-season deal with Boston for the full midlevel exception, hoping to give the Celtics two things they lacked a season ago -- a big man who can space the floor with 3-point shooting and a reliable fallback if Kevin Garnett's knee causes him to miss time.
As gambles go, it's an eminently reasonable one. Wallace didn't come expensively and he fills an important need, and Boston's risk is limited by the short term of the deal. That said, Wallace's decline last season had to be worrisome. While he has the two traits most associated with player longevity -- size and shooting ability -- he still needs to stay fit and maintain his competitive fire. Both seemed in question last season.
If Wallace shows up in shape and goes into the post once in a while, his defense and selflessness will be huge assets in the Celtics' quest to regain their crown. But with his decline last season at age 34 and his worrisome history of combusting at the worst possible time, whether he does so is open to question.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shelden Williams #13 PF
2009-10 Projected PER: 13.49
League Average Comparison: -1.51
2008-09 PER: 13.78
2008-09 STATS
PPG RPG BPG
4.1 3.4 0.4
Birth Date October 21, 1983
Birth Place Oklahoma City, OK
Age 25
Weight 250 lbs.
Height 6-9
Position PF
Experience 3 years
College Duke
Salary 2010: $825,497
Next Game:
Celtics at Rockets
Wednesday 10/7, 8:30 PM ET
ProfileStatsSplitsGame LogNewsHollinger InsiderPhotos
Hollinger Player Profile | Stats Key
SEASON FG% FT% P/40 R/40 A/40 TS% Ast TO Usg Reb PER
2006-07 .455 .764 11.7 11.5 1.2 51.8 7.7 16.9 14.5 17.3 12.39
2007-08 .434 .676 13.1 10.6 1.0 49.4 6.1 11.2 13.7 15.5 12.06
2008-09 .446 .730 14.5 12.0 0.9 50.3 5.2 14.7 16.7 17.5 13.78
2009-10 (projected) .446 .729 13.8 11.2 1.0 50.8 6.0 13.7 16.2 16.5 13.49
2008-09 season: Williams showed up overweight and never gained traction, failing to secure a rotation spot even though he played for two of the worst teams in the league, the Kings and Wolves. He got a bit of a raw deal, perhaps, as he proved to be a very effective rebounder and his PER was acceptable for a backup center. Williams ranked 20th among centers in rebound rate and, oddly enough, topped all centers in steals per minute.
Once again, however, he shot blanks. Williams hit only 44.6 percent from the floor, but it didn't stop him from shooting willingly from 15 feet at every opportunity. He drew a high rate of fouls and averaged a solid 14.5 points per 40 minutes overall, but only by generating boatloads of empty trips along the way. Given those numbers and his dreadful ballhandling (62nd out of 67 centers in pure point rating), he needs to stick to the boards and leave the offense to others.
Scouting report: Williams has the size and power to defend opposing big men and battle under the boards, factors that make him a useful end-of-rotation big man who can use his fouls and block shots. He plays hard at this end and has good shot-blocking instincts, and those attributes should keep his career afloat.
That is, if his shooting doesn't sink it. Williams struggles to convert midrange jumpers and defenses routinely concede the shot to him, but he fires the shot willingly. He can snag some buckets on putbacks because he's such a good rebounder, but too often he has to stop and gather himself before going back up. That allows the defense to recover which, combined with Williams' lack of elevation, translates into as many blocked short-range shots as any player in basketball.
2009-10 outlook: Williams signed a one-season deal with Boston for $1.3 million, where he'll get a chance to resuscitate his career as a fifth big man. Coach Doc Rivers tends to use his whole bench, so Williams should get a fair share of opportunities, but it won't matter if he's not in better shape. That said, this was a good value signing for the Celtics. Williams is young enough to improve, and his numbers from this first three seasons, while disappointing for a No. 5 overall pick, are far better than those of most No. 3 centers.
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