Baby steps

Asked yesterday what was expected of Williams, who joined the Celtics as an unrestricted free agent in August, Rivers replied: “Very similar to Baby’s role - terrific 15-foot shooter, can pop, he’s strong, can really rebound. That’s his role. He’s still trying to find his way. He’s been really robotic, so far, because he’s trying to learn the offense and figure out what we’re doing and figure out how he fits into that.’’

Williams is keeping a relatively low profile, compared with his experience as a No. 5 draft choice in Atlanta in 2006.

“I think this is a good situation for Shelden,’’ Rivers said. “Everywhere he’s gone, he’s been like the high draft pick people were expecting to carry the team and he doesn’t have to do that here - he can just play, and I think that will be good for him. When you go in the top 15 everyone projects you to do that and, usually, of the top 15, one of those guys has the actual ability to do that. The problem is, everyone expects you to do that and it’s a lot of pressure and I’m sure he felt that, as well.’’

Williams is treating his job as a fresh start.

“They want me to come in and play defense, rebound the basketball, be able to go out there and do the little things,’’ Williams said while preparing for tomorrow’s exhibition season opener against Houston in Hidalgo, Texas. “That’s what I’m trying to do. It’s kind of like being a freshman at Duke all over again. You already have a great group of guys, and with the tradition we have here . . . so I just have to come in here and find my niche, and go from there.

“This is a very veteran team. They have a lot of years on me, so I’m picking their brains and going from there.’’

Williams was a starter with the Hawks in 2006-07, but was demoted to the bench after 31 games. Williams had to adjust to complementary roles with Atlanta, Sacramento, and Minnesota.

“Different players take different journeys,’’ Williams said. “I’m still in the league. I’m still here and I play each and every day. Like I say, different people take different paths. Obviously, being a competitor, I want something more. But I’m still here. People see something in me, and I’m going to continue to keep going.’’

Williams gains motivation from being traded. “I know that’s part of the business, as well,’’ Williams said. “I just want to go out and play and fight as much as I can, and that’s something I try to do when I go on the court.’’

“That was almost a fun section of practice,’’ Rivers said. “We were trying to execute plays. Some plays we would never run, obviously. The last play - maybe we will run, now - Perk handing it off and dribbling to the basket, it was pretty fun. But it was good, it worked.’’

“I told myself during the summer that I was going to be in the best shape I’ve ever been in,’’ Allen said. “I start the season off and play pretty well. But I like to be in good shape, and that doesn’t mean just to be able to score the ball, but to be able to have my body in front of me on defense, have my legs strong, and starting off the season where I’m not feeling that early-season fatigue.

“I want to just bounce right into it. Sometimes you can’t determine what that’s going to feel like. Once you start the first game and everybody is winded a little bit.

“But the more I can push myself early it’s definitely not as easy as when I was younger to get in shape. But I feel pretty good. And, without trying to overdo it, I want to gradually get to my spot where I can increase my conditioning. There are times when my body is feeling great and I have to take advantage of it. There are times when you don’t feel great and you definitely have to get the rest.

Frank Dell’Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.