After missing several days of practice with concussion-like symptoms and a sprained knee, respectively, Boston Celtics second-year center Robert Williams III and rookie swingman Romeo Langford returned to practice on Monday with the season opener just around the corner.
Neither participated in the contact portion of practice but that they took the floor at all is a positive sign for both the players and the team as a whole.
While Boston has a relatively deep team, particularly at the center position, the Celtics will need Williams’ combination of explosiveness and rim-protection against a lanky and athletic Sixers team that will attack the paint relentlessly.
Langford will be less key to a potential victory against Philadelphia but considering that the 76ers have the type of bench that they didn’t have last season — and one thats defensive-minded unit — having Rome’s natural playmaking ability as their disposal would undoubtedly make it easier for the Celtics to come away with a victory.
Looking at the season as a whole, getting Williams and Langford up to speed with Celtics head coach Brad Stevens’ schemes and giving them an opportunity to gel with the team will boost Boston’s talent on both ends of the court.
Both have the physical tools and skillset needed to be key rotation players but where they’re lagging behind many of their teammates is the mental aspect of the game — from technique to awareness.
There’s little doubt that in time they’ll be able to reach their potential but time is of the essence, even if the Celtics refuse to put the same pressure on themselves that they faced last season.
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