Boston, MA- The best defensive player in an NBA Finals filled with stars is a 24-year-old from Shreveport, Louisiana. His name is Robert Williams III and he is the future of the NBA defensively.
LeBron and the Finals
What makes the NBA Finals special to me is that it is the highest form of basketball. A full season that lasts for months on end, all leading up to a defining four to seven-game series.
The entire legacies have been changed and defined in those four to seven games. In the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were down three games to one versus the Golden State Warriors. James proceeded to average 29.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, and 8.9 APG to lead the Cavaliers to their first championship. For this accomplishment, James was thrown into the discussion of being the greatest player of all time and was credited with having arguably the greatest defensive play of all time as well.
James was at the peak of his career because of how he performed in the finals. However, five years earlier he was called the most overrated player of all time. This was because against Dallas, James averaged 17.8 PPG, and by his own account played his worst basketball.
Legacies being Created
I know what you’re thinking, what does any of this have to do with Williams III? Well, I wanted to establish the point of how much those four to seven games in the Finals can define your career. In 5 years, James went from overrated in the public eye to the best player on earth all because of his performances in the finals.
While Williams III is not at James level, he is still crafting his legacy in these NBA Finals even if the stat line doesn’t show it. On paper, Williams III appears to be a somewhat average player. Over the Finals so far, he’s averaging 6 PPG and 6 RPG.
When looking over the stat sheet, it would be easy to miss Williams III. However, when watching the game, it’s impossible not to notice his impact.
Defensive Players of the Year
This NBA Finals has nothing short of household defensive names in the league. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is a frequent member of the All-NBA defensive team, having received the honor seven times in the past seven years.
Boston also has a star on the defensive side with Marcus Smart being named defensive player of the year-earlier this season.
A Star is Born
Despite this series containing two of the previous four defensive players of the year, Williams III has still been the best defender. Williams III showed this in the opening game of the series as he made history on the defensive end.
He’s continuing this high level of play by recording an absurd series-best 95.6 defensive rating.
What makes all this even more impressive is Williams III is producing these numbers and highlights while battling injury. Earlier this season Williams III missed six weeks due to a knee injury. That injury has been bothering Williams III consistently throughout the playoffs.
As of right now, Williams III is listed as questionable for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The game will take place in Boston on June 10th at 6:00 p.m. PST.
