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SUMMER LEAGUE NIGHTMARE: Amari Williams Exposes Celtics’ Critical Weaknesses in Just 2 Plays!

Posted on July 25, 2025 - 2:59 pm by

When the Boston Celtics nabbed Kentucky’s Amari Williams with the 44th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the buzz was immediate. A 23-year-old, seven-foot center from England, Williams brought a skillset that had fans dreaming of a new era in Boston’s frontcourt. A super senior who honed his craft at Drexel for four years before shining at Kentucky, Williams is no ordinary big man. His Summer League performance in Las Vegas was a rollercoaster—a dazzling display of elite passing and defensive instincts, marred by two plays that laid bare his (and perhaps the Celtics’) Achilles’ heel.

Let’s start with the magic. Williams’ passing is nothing short of mesmerizing, especially for a seven-footer. In Vegas, he showcased a rare ability to read defenses like a seasoned point guard. Picture this: Williams surveys the floor, watches the defense collapse on the first and second options, and then—bam—threads a pinpoint pass to the third read, catching opponents flat-footed. These aren’t just good passes; they’re superstar-level dimes that make you rewind the tape.

Growing up as a guard in the UK, Williams developed a playmaker’s instincts, and it shows. His vision is a cut above, even among other bigs in the 2025 draft class. Draft experts had hyped his passing, and Williams delivered on that promise, making plays that had Celtics fans buzzing with excitement. One moment, he’s whipping a no-look pass through traffic; the next, he’s hitting a cutter with surgical precision. It’s the kind of skill that could redefine Boston’s offense—if they can harness it.

On the defensive end, Williams is no slouch either. While his Summer League stat line—highlighted by a pair of blocks and a steal in the opener against the Memphis Grizzlies—doesn’t scream dominance, his impact goes beyond the box score. His positional awareness is uncanny for a rookie big. In that Grizzlies game, Williams made life miserable for drivers, forcing tough finishes even when he didn’t get the block. His long arms and active hands disrupted plays, and his three “stocks” (steals plus blocks) were a glimpse of his potential as a defensive anchor.

What’s more, Williams has the tools to be a switchable big—a rare and valuable trait in today’s NBA. Summer League head coach Matt Reynolds raved about his versatility to Hardwood Houdini’s Bobby Krivitsky: “He can do some switching. He’s got long arms, good instincts, active hands. Whether it’s against speed or size, he can guard one-on-one.” For a Celtics team craving flexibility in their frontcourt, Williams’ ability to handle guards and bigs alike could be a game-changer—if he refines it.

But then came the nightmare. In a Thursday clash against the Los Angeles Lakers, Williams’ limitations were glaringly exposed in two brutal plays. First, a missed catch-and-finish layup that should’ve been automatic for a player of his size. Then, another botched attempt in the paint, part of a woeful 3-of-10 shooting night. These weren’t just misses—they were red flags. Williams, for all his passing wizardry and defensive promise, is a liability as a finisher.

His offensive game is raw, to put it kindly. Unlike traditional bigs who dominate with post moves, Williams struggles to create his own shot. In Vegas, he looked uncomfortable when asked to do anything beyond catching and dunking. His 44% shooting in Summer League (a steep drop from his 56% in college) underscored a troubling trend: Williams misses too many bunnies for a seven-footer. At Kentucky, where he carried a heavy offensive load, these inefficiencies were masked. In the NBA, they’re a glaring weakness.

The Celtics’ center rotation is razor-thin this season, which could be a blessing or a curse for Williams. On one hand, his elite passing and defensive instincts make him a candidate to sneak into the rotation if he develops quickly. On the other, his offensive struggles suggest he may need time with Boston’s G-League affiliate in Maine to polish his finishing. Those two plays against the Lakers weren’t just misses—they were a wake-up call. If Williams can’t convert easy buckets, his path to meaningful NBA minutes will be steep.

Still, the potential is tantalizing. A seven-footer who passes like a guard and defends with instincts could be a unicorn for the Celtics. The question is whether Boston can afford to wait for him to iron out the kinks. For now, Williams’ Summer League performance was a tale of two realities: a glimpse of brilliance and a stark reminder of the work ahead. If he can turn those missed layups into makes, the Celtics might just have a steal at pick 44. If not, those two plays could haunt Boston’s frontcourt dreams.