Ainge supports choice of Celtics Draft

BOSTON – Danny Ainge, the president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, was perplexed by the rumor that Texas A & M striker Robert Williams was not working hard enough to reach the NBA

"A low engine" and be the defensive player of the year two years in a row in a difficult conference, "said Ainge Friday after the press conference to introduce Williams.

Williams was named co-defensive of the Southeast Conference of the Year in 2018 after winning the award in 2017.

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

Originally from Oil City, Louisiana, Williams was considered a lottery player after his first year but he went back to play another season at college and was screened as a debut The first round in this year's draft, but fell to the Celtics at No. 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 smiled and shook his head. "I mean, I'm right here," said Williams, who was assigned the number 44 that was worn by Ainge during his Celtics player career. "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 new team training center. Friday before the press conference, one of these trainings was at 6:30 in the morning.

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 do everything."

Speaking on the eve of the league's free agency period, Ainge declined to comment on specific players who might to be available but said that it was "unlikely" that the team would come in. We expect LeBron James, Chris Paul and Paul George to be free agents, and Kawhi Leonard asked for a free

"We're exploring all the exchanges of the first-rate Hall of Fame players or superstars," said Ainge. "We're going to take a look and kick the tires. , and see if there is anything, 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 said that he does not expect a major move.

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

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