“I missed the game so much…”

61. This was the number of games played in 2021/22 Robert Williams IIIin Celtics colors. That year he graduated from law school the second best defensive five of the season. 61 is also the number of games he has played since that season, including just 26 in the two years since his move to the Blazers.

This means that his return to school, on Friday night, was an event and everything went well with a good performance from the bench, and above all win at the end against the Nuggets.

“Rob was great,” Dear Danny Avdi. “We’ve missed him on the court. He’s got a big game presence, he counters, he catches alley-oops. He’s very athletic, very competitive. We just hope he stays healthy, because we really need him. It’s great to see him again.”

Obviously subject to a time limit, the former Celtic played just 11 minutes, enough to collect 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block and 1 assist. “I missed the game so much… I just feel good to be here… Of course the win is important, but especially the way we played in the money time. It’s easy to play well for 40 minutes, but it’s important to concentrate in the decisive moments.”

Another rotating profile

In his first game since February, Robert Williams III wasted no time scoring his first basket less than two minutes into the first quarter. Then we saw him grab three offensive rebounds, assisting Tuman Kamara, the author of the little “floater”. He also blocked a Peyton Watson punt in the third quarter and drew a foul with 24 seconds left for Denver. Not forgetting the alley with Jrue Holiday, whom he didn’t know in the Celtics.

“I’m just trying to present a different type of challenge for contrasting interiors”explains his role. “We’ve got (Donovan) Clingan and (Iang) Hansen, two guys over 2m13, so I’ve got to be more versatile, move the interior, cut more…”

Mobility that will be interesting for playing behind the backs, but also in defense on assists. “For me, he’s one of the best defensive pivots in the league.”says Blazers winger Chris Murray. “When he’s in good shape, everything improves. With him and Klingan in the racket, it’s complicated for opponents. And when he comes back, it’s a breath of fresh air – for the locker room and for the energy he brings every day.”