Why the Celtics should not be starting Robert Williams III

Robert Williams III should not be starting games for the Boston Celtics. At least not yet.

Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III missed the start to the 2022-23 season rehabbing an injured knee, but the All-Defensive big man has wasted no time making an immediate impact upon his return to the court. Williams is posting the most efficient numbers from the field of his career while providing a needed boost.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla leaned heavily on Derrick White as a de facto starter when Robert Williams was unavailable this fall. White has logged 34 starts in 41 games. That created a starting lineup for much of the season of Marcus Smart and Derrick White in the backcourt and Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford in the frontcourt.

Now that Timelord is back, the obvious question has been whether he will retake his place with the rest of the starters.