How Robert Williams can have an effective role in Boston’s five-out offense

Generally speaking, a five-out offense works best when every player on the floor is a perimeter threat, be it a knockdown shooter or someone who can penetrate off the dribble. For a big man, being an average three-point shooter has appeared to be a pre-requisite for earning legitimate minutes on a team with a focus on stretching the floor via five-out schemes.

So, it makes sense that when the Boston Celtics have had Robert Williams on the court this season, they’ve switched to a four-out, one-in system, placing their athletic big man in the dunker spot and using his lob gravity to keep defenses honest. Sure, there have been moments when Williams has operated as a single big above the break,…