Fine, I’ll Just Say It: Robert Williams Is Better Than Khris Middleton
Y’all better put some respect on the Timelord’s name. This has been an ongoing debate in the Slack so I may as well just have the conversation now so we can stop disrespecting Timelord. I’m just going to do it. We’ll put it out there. I believe in it. Robert Williams is better than Khris Middleton. There. It’s been said.
Williams, 24, isn’t done getting better yet. Williams is coming off a year where he made second team All-Defense and probably should just be recognized as the best defender in the league already. If it weren’t for missing some time after a meniscus tear, Williams would be first-team all-defense. Marcus Smart won defensive player of the year. I can promise you he’s not the best defender on the team. That’s big shot blocking Bob.
Last time I checked, defense is important. The Celtics are the best defensive team in the NBA and basically rode their way to the Finals because of it. Williams notched the best defensive rating in the NBA this year (102.3). The next closest was Rudy Gobert at 103.2. Williams is that dominant on the defensive end.
For the record, Middleton has never made a list. Seriously. He’s NEVER made an All-NBA first, second, or third-team spot for any award. He’s never won an award of any kind at the NBA level minus being carried to a title by Giannis. Middleton is a very good player that can shoot and defend. Let’s not get crazy here now. Middleton doesn’t impact the game the way Timelord does and he’s starting to age. Middleton had his worst shooting season in five years and will now enter his age 31 season.
If you’re starting a team today, nobody takes Middleton ahead of Williams. Maybe Grant Williams, not Robert. Age and you have to factor in the contract. Williams is way more valuable on the open market. Who wouldn’t want the best defensive center in basketball that coverts well over 70% of his shot attempts? He just posted two blocks per game numbers playing on one leg in limited minutes in the playoffs. Oh, and he’s under contract for the next four years for $48 total million. Middleton will make more than $40 million just next year in the final year of his deal. Nobody would trade Williams for Middleton straight up. Nobody.
Williams also beats Middleton by a wide margin in PER and Wins share. Despite having a very low usage role, Williams also averages two assists per game and is widely recognized as one of the best passing bigs in the NBA.
Ask yourself this question. Which guy is harder to find? Is there another big guy in the league like Williams? Probably not. There are hundreds of Khris Middleton’s which mathematically already makes Middleton inferior. It’s called supply and demand. I can’t find another Timelord. I can find a lot of 3-and-D wings. Most teams just flat out give up dumping resources into the center position because guys like Williams don’t exist.
We don’t need to make this post longer than it has to be. Use your eyeballs. When Williams makes the All-Star team next year, don’t come crying to me. Be early, not late. Let’s also agree to not use the injury stuff. We don’t have to go there. Of course, maybe don’t try to argue about the health of Robert Williams. I recall him playing this postseason while the other guy missed the series against Boston.
I rest my case. Williams won’t score as many points but he definitely impacts the game more. If you’re starting a team from scratch, you’re taking Williams. What’s the debate then? Maybe more people should be on the Timelord train. You may want to get on before it’s too late. Imagine when this guy is actually healthy?
