When the news broke in late September that Robert Williams was going to miss 8-12 weeks due to knee surgery, it was no secret the Celtics' defense was going to take a significant hit. Williams was coming off a season in which he was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and served as an anchor in the paint. The Celtics prided themselves on defense a season ago, and a lot of that was due to the presence of Robert Williams.
Through four games this season, the Celtics' defense has simply not looked the same, and the absence of Robert Williams is a big reason why. The Celtics seriously lack depth in the front court, even before Williams' injury, and we have seen that firsthand through the first four games. Last season, opponents shot just 39.7% in the paint against the Celtics. This season, albeit a small sample size, opponents are shooting 50.8% in the paint, which is the second highest in the NBA. Through four games, opponents have scored 172 points in the paint. On top of that, opponents have scored 60 points on second-chance opportunities.
Through the first two games, the Celtics held their own in the rebounding battle, but that was not the case against Orlando or Chicago. In the last two games, the Celtics have been out rebounded 108-82.
The lack of an intimidating defender and rebounder in the paint for the Celtics is now a glaring issue. The Celtics allowed the fewest points per game last season; this year they rank 18th in scoring defense through four games.
Luckily for the Celtics, their offense has been able to mask the subpar play from the defense, but with Robert Williams out until likely at least December, what can the Celtics do now?
If the front office doesn't add externally, which they very well may have to do, it seems it'll be a mixture of Al Horford, Noah Vonleh and Luke Kornet playing center for the Celtics.
The Celtics can trust Horford to make plays. He did it time and time again in last year's Finals run. Though he is on the smaller side for a center, Horford can play big, especially with the help of Jayson Tatum on the glass.
So it comes down to Vonleh and Kornet. Vonleh has been an amazing story: A Massachusetts native who was drafted ninth overall in the 2014 draft, and joined the Celtics this off season after spending last season with Shanghai Sharks. He showed flashes in the first two games, but since then he has struggled mightily. Vonleh has not been able to defend without fouling. He has totaled 17 fouls in four games, which is tied for fifth most out of 410 players. Vonleh does a great job in the screen game, and helps create spacing for the offense, but his foul troubles are making him unplayable.
One solution could be more Luke Kornet. Kornet was expected to see a bigger role before he suffered an ankle injury in training camp, which could be factoring into his lack of minutes. At 7-foot-2, 252 pounds, Kornet has totaled just 11 minutes so far this season, but could provide some size to a lineup that desperately needs it.
Neither option is particularly appealing, so it would be wise for the front office to try to bring in some help before this becomes a more serious problem. For a team that is trying to emulate last season's success, front court depth would go a long way.
