Parquet plays: Dimelord in the high post

The highlight dunks and blocks make Robert Williams a great NBA Top Shot investment. His playmaking might earn him more playing time. Against the Grizzlies, Williams was an efficient 7-for-9 on the floor with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks, but it was Dimelord’s passing and four assists that showed out in Memphis.

Since Al Horford’s departure two seasons ago, the Celtics haven’t had a consistent big man playmaker at the top of the key. On the telecast, NBC Boston’s Brian Scalabrine likened him to Bill Walton. That’s a stretch, but Williams was certainly slinging it.

“I love passing the ball,” Williams said after a Summer League game back in 2019.

It’s not exactly the sexiest of plays, but it’s a good example of what Williams can do making decisions above the break. He gets the assist handing the ball off to Jeff Teague and it’s his quick decision-making and seal down low that opens up the floater.

The only thing sillier that Jaylen Brown’s shotmaking here is Williams’ ability to thread that needle. He’s got great hands and that shows as a lob threat and he also uses those gifts when he’s dishing the ball. His sense of timing and angles is better than most point guards.

Another simple hand off to Jaylen Brown, but it’s Williams as a vertical threat that makes the play. Because Brandon Clarke has to stay home on Rob and defend Brown on the drive, he’s out of position to do either very well.

In the end, the most telling number from Monday night wasn’t tying his season-high in assists. It was logging his second highest minutes played of his career at 27:43. He’s been closing games of late and against Memphis, he played the majority of the center minutes in the fourth quarter and overtime.