BEVERLY HILLS (MI) –
“From the Swamp” watches
a lot of basketball. In addition to faithfully following the Flyers, a visit to the
“Third year is the charm Obi Toppin thread” on the UDPride MB reveals that I provide updates and highlights on the exploits of the player who is #1 in your NYK program and #1 in our hearts. I couldn't care less about the Knicks as a team - like all of us, I just want to see Obi thrive.
The NBA squad that has always had my allegiance is the Boston Celtics. While I often just follow the box score to see how Obi is doing I will actually watch Gang Green play. They have a tremendously deep roster, including All Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but the player who intrigues me the most is center Robert Williams III.
A bit of background on Williams. He was projected to be a lottery draft pick after a strong freshman campaign at Texas A&M that saw him named SEC Defensive POY and 2nd Team All-SEC, averaging 12 points and a team-high 8 rebounds. Rob chose to return to the Aggies instead and declared for the draft after his sophomore season.
Williams slid in the 2018 draft, due to some questions about his commitment and work ethic and was grabbed by the Celtics at #27. Rob earned the nickname “Time Lord” after he overslept and missed his introductory conference call with the media and then missed his flight to Boston. Since then, Williams has progressed steadily into a defensive force. In 2021-22, his first season as a full-time starter, Time Lord averaged 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Injuries have hampered Rob both last season and this year and the hope is he will be healthy for a Celtics deep playoff run.
All of which brings us to the question asked in the title:
Is DaRon Holmes the next Robert Williams?
Here are Deuce’s stats:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...aron-holmes-ii
Williams’ stats while at A&M:
https://insider.espn.com/nba/draft/r...obert-williams
A side-by-side collegiate statistical comparison reveals two fairly similar players. Deuce has the better PPG average; Time Lord higher RPG and BPG numbers. The two are willing passers, however both suck at FTs. Neither guy will ever be relied upon as a three-point shooter. DaRon’s usage was much higher, as he averaged almost 10 minutes more per game than Rob did in their respective sophomore seasons.
One trait that Deuce shares with Obi Toppin is his ability to run the floor. Due to his knee ailments Rob’s rim running days are mostly in the past.
For those of you who have not seen Time Lord in action, here is a highlight reel of his blocked shots. It’s appropriately titled
“Robert Williams blocks EVERYTHING” and includes a game-saving snuff of a three-point attempt at the :20 mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWw4QzjwLKc
Can Deuce become that guy?
Yeah, maybe…
but not next year.
Having watched just about every minute that DaRon played the last two seasons he definitely has the
potential to be a first-round draft pick. But as things stand right now, Holmes does not possess one skill that translates to the NBA. That’s not just me talking. Despite some lofty NBA Draft projections, those forecasts are not compiled by the people who actually scout players for a living. And it is my understanding that NBA scouts who have seen him play in person feel Deuce is not close to being ready.
Am I saying this just because I want DaRon to come back for his junior year?
Absolutely not. The assumption is that Holmes will submit his name for the draft and when he does Deuce will hear the exact same evaluations from NBA teams. And I would think AG would level with him as well.
The worst thing that could happen is DaRon stays in the draft and falls to the 2nd round, where the money is not guaranteed. If some NBA team promises that they will pick him in the 1st round, then by all means make the leap. Otherwise, come back and work on the areas that need improvement – strength, finishing at the rim, FT shooting – and become a lottery pick this time next year.
That’s it
“From the Swamp.”
You can email me at:
swampy@udpride.com
