Robert Williams could not sound more comfortable about his current situation. A meniscus tear can impact the trajectory of a career, and he sure felt the pain when the injury occurred against Minnesota just a week ago. To the point where he didn't want to know the diagnosis.
"I was hurt. I was so hurt — I knew something wasn't right," Williams said in his first press conference since the injury. "I could tell it was something that was gonna stop me from playing. So, I really didn't even want to find out what it was at one point. Like, at one point, I was sitting on a bench — like the end of the third — and I knew something was wrong, but I was so scared to even stand up."
But now, that doesn't seem to be the case whatsoever. He's felt physical relief since the surgery was completed, which might explain why there's thought he could try to return before the four to six weeks timetable he was given directly after the surgery.
"Honestly, right now, I'm in a great place mentally," Williams said. "Physically, feeling way better. Just going along with the rehab, standing up for the guys, cheering them on. Just ready to come back."
Still, the Celtics aren't trying to rush Williams back, with the focus still being on the long game.
When it comes to the short term and Boston's postseason hopes, however, there's also the matter of Time Lord returning to form. While him playing in any capacity would increase the Celtics' chance to make a run, they need him to get back to where he was in order for Boston to be a force. That may seem like asking a lot given the nature of the injury, but Williams has no concern about what he'll look like when he's given the green light.
"I mean, nah, (expletive), not on my part," Williams said. "Obviously, there's nothing that can compare to playing in an NBA game or obviously the playoffs. But just gotta get out there — like riding a bike again, get out there, get my wind under me. I feel like I should be good, obviously, with the help of my teammates picking me up."
