First-round pick Robert Williams ready to launch his engine in Boston

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " BOSTON (AP) – Boston Celtics boss Danny Ainge was perplexed by all the rumors about how Texas A & M striker Robert Williams did not work hard enough to qualify for the NBA. "The Boston Celtics boss, Danny Ainge, was baffled by all the talk about how Texas A & M striker Robert Williams has not worked hard enough to succeed in the NBA .

"It's hard to have a" weak engine "and to be the defensive player of the year two years in a row in a tough conference," Ainge said Friday after the conference's press to introduce Williams. The co-defensive player of the year of Southeastern Conference in 2018 after winning the prize in 2017.

"It's pretty hard to do if you do not have the engine", said Ainge. "But if the engine can get better, it's still a bigger potential."

A native of Oil City, Louisiana, Williams was considered a lottery player after his first year, but returned to play another season in college. He was screened as first in the first round in this year's draft, but he fell to the Celtics at number 27 overall.

Williams said that his mother believed that he needed another year to mature at the university. When asked if he regretted not being out after his first year, Williams grinned and shook his head to show that he was not guiding his decision.

"I mean, I'm standing here," says Williams, who was badigned the number 44 that was worn by Ainge during his career as a Celtics player. "I have the impression of having landed in a great place.It's only from here."

Williams arrived in Boston earlier in the week and has already spent a few days working in the team's new training center, the Auerbach Center. One of these practices was at 6:30 am Friday before the press conference.

Striker Al Horford was there to greet him on Wednesday.

"He just gave me the keys to success," Williams said. "Boston is a place that likes to work hard.They love players who give everything."

Speaking on the eve of the league's free agency period, Ainge declined to comment on specific players who might being available but said that it was "unlikely" that the team would land a superstar. LeBron James, Chris Paul and Paul George are supposed to be free agents, and Kawhi Leonard asked the Spurs of the

"We are exploring all of the" Hall of Fame "type players or superstar exchanges." Ainge said. "We're going to take a look at the tires and see what's going on." There is something, but that's all. I think these things are unlikely. "

A year after a complete overhaul of the offseason – traded Isaiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving and back only four players from the team that won first place at the Eastern Conference in 2016-17 – Ainge He says that he does not expect to make a major move.

"We do not need it," said Ainge. "We have very good players and we want to surround them with role players. "