Robert Williams Nickname: Why Is He Called Time Lord?

Last Updated on: 28th October 2026, 09:56 pm

Robert Williams III’s nickname is “Time Lord,” one of the NBA’s most unusual and memorable player nicknames. It began as a joke among Boston Celtics fans in 2018 after Williams missed an introductory media call and a flight to Boston. Over time, the nickname developed a second meaning because of his exceptional timing when blocking shots.

The 6-foot-9 NBA center, who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, is also known by other nicknames, including Boo Butt and Lob Williams. However, Time Lord remains the name most closely associated with his basketball career.

What makes the story interesting is that the nickname was not originally created to praise his basketball skills. It came from an online fan community, developed into an affectionate joke, and eventually became a description of how Williams plays.

Here is the complete story behind Robert Williams’ nickname, including its origin, meaning, connection to the Celtics, and other names used by his family and basketball fans.

Quick Answer: What Is Robert Williams’ Nickname?

Robert Williams III is best known as Time Lord, also written as Timelord. The name originated with Boston Celtics fans in 2018 and later became associated with his impressive defensive timing.

His other documented nicknames include:

• Time Lord: His most famous NBA nickname, originally inspired by his early problems with punctuality.
• Timelord: An alternative spelling of the same nickname.
• Boo Butt: A childhood nickname given to him by his mother and used by family members.
• Lob Williams: A basketball nickname referring to his ability to catch and finish alley-oop passes.
• Little Rob: A family nickname reportedly used by some relatives.

Basketball-Reference lists Time Lord, Timelord, Boo Butt, and Lob Williams among his nicknames.

For most fans searching for the Robert Williams nickname, the answer is Time Lord.

Why Is Robert Williams Called Time Lord?

Robert Williams earned the nickname Time Lord shortly after the Boston Celtics selected him in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Celtics drafted Williams with the 27th overall pick after his college basketball career at Texas A&M University.

However, his introduction to the NBA did not go entirely as planned.

Shortly after being drafted, Williams overslept and missed an introductory conference call with reporters. He also missed a flight to Boston, affecting his early team activities.

The incidents attracted attention from reporters and basketball fans.

A group of online supporters known as Weird Celtics Twitter began joking that Williams was not actually late. Instead, they imagined that he existed on a different timeline from everyone else.

The joke drew on the idea of a Time Lord, a fictional being capable of traveling through time.

What started as an unusual response to a rookie’s missed appointments eventually became his most recognizable nickname.

According to NBC Sports Boston’s explanation of the Time Lord nickname, the name spread through Celtics fan discussions and became part of Williams’ identity during his early NBA career.

Who Invented the Time Lord Nickname?

The nickname is commonly associated with Ryan Hebert, a Celtics fan who participated in the online community known as Weird Celtics Twitter.

Hebert and other fans supported Williams before and after the Celtics selected him in 2018.

When Williams missed his introductory call and flight, some media discussions questioned his professionalism.

Rather than treating those early mistakes as evidence that he would struggle in the NBA, the fan community responded with absurd humor.

They joked that Williams operated on a different timeline and therefore could not be judged by ordinary expectations of punctuality.

The reference eventually developed into Time Lord.

In a December 2018 article, Boston.com documented the nickname’s origin and explained how Hebert and other Celtics supporters helped popularize it.

The important distinction is that the nickname was not simply created to insult Williams for being late.

It was also a joke about how seriously some commentators reacted to a young player’s early mistakes.

What Does Time Lord Mean in Basketball?

The name Time Lord developed two meanings during Robert Williams’ career.

1. The Original Meaning: A Joke About Timekeeping

At first, Time Lord referred to Williams’ missed introductory conference call and flight in 2018.

Fans humorously suggested that he followed a different understanding of time.

This explained the unusual connection between an NBA rookie and a title normally associated with science fiction.

2. The Basketball Meaning: Perfectly Timed Defensive Plays

As Williams developed into a defensive presence for Boston, the nickname began to describe his basketball abilities.

He became known for:

• Shot blocking: Timing his jumps to challenge and reject opponents’ attempts near the basket.
• Rim protection: Making it difficult for opposing players to finish close to the hoop.
• Alley-oop finishes: Catching passes above the rim and completing powerful dunks.
• Defensive awareness: Reading plays and reacting quickly to opponents’ movements.
• Athleticism: Using his jumping ability and reach to make difficult defensive plays.

His timing could make it appear as though he knew what an opponent was going to do before the play happened.

That connection helped transform an early joke into a nickname that suited his playing style.

In a June 2022 interview with Sky Sports, Williams explained that the meaning changed after fans began connecting the name with his shot-blocking ability.

He liked the newer interpretation and continued embracing the nickname.

Is Robert Williams’ Time Lord Nickname Related to Doctor Who?

Yes. The nickname has a connection to the science-fiction series Doctor Who.

In the show, Time Lords are a fictional civilization associated with the ability to travel through time. The Doctor is one of its most famous members.

Celtics fans borrowed that idea when joking about Williams operating on a different timeline.

The reference made the nickname more creative than an ordinary joke about being late.

Instead of calling him something straightforward, fans created a fictional explanation for his behavior.

However, Time Lord is not an official Doctor Who character name assigned to Robert Williams. It is a basketball nickname inspired by the science-fiction concept.

Did Robert Williams Like Being Called Time Lord?

Yes. Although the nickname came from his early mistakes, Williams eventually embraced it.

In a 2018 interview discussed by NBC Sports Boston, Williams acknowledged that fans were having fun with the nickname.

Rather than treating it as a serious criticism, he accepted the humor surrounding his introduction to the Celtics.

By 2022, he had another reason to appreciate the name.

As his defensive game improved, commentators and fans increasingly connected Time Lord with his extraordinary timing on the court.

Williams explained the double meaning during his Sky Sports interview and indicated that he had grown comfortable using it.

The nickname therefore followed an unusual journey.

It began as a joke about missed appointments, became an affectionate fan identity, and eventually turned into a compliment about his defensive abilities.

Other Robert Williams Nicknames and Their Meanings

Although Time Lord is his most recognizable basketball nickname, Robert Williams III has several other documented names.

Each has a different origin.

Boo Butt: His Childhood Nickname

Boo Butt is one of the most personal nicknames associated with Robert Williams.

His mother, Tundra Williams, gave him the name when he was young.

It remained familiar among relatives and people who knew him growing up in Louisiana.

In a February 2017 interview with the Houston Chronicle, Williams said he had asked his mother where the nickname came from, but she would laugh rather than explain it.

His older sister, Brittanni, also publicly referred to him by the nickname.

In 2018, she indicated that Boo Butt was the name she preferred over the newer basketball nicknames.

A later Sports Illustrated feature about unusual NBA nicknames also documented the family connection.

Unlike Time Lord, which came from basketball fans, Boo Butt belongs to Williams’ childhood and family life.

Lob Williams: His Basketball Nickname

Lob Williams refers to his athleticism and ability to finish alley-oop passes.

An alley-oop happens when a player catches a pass near the basket, often while jumping, and finishes with a shot or dunk.

Williams became known for catching these passes and completing powerful finishes above the rim.

The name was also suggested by Danny Ainge, the former Celtics executive, who was not initially enthusiastic about Time Lord.

However, Lob Williams never became as closely associated with him as the fan-created nickname.

Little Rob: A Family Name

Little Rob was reportedly used by some family members.

The name distinguishes Robert Williams III from older relatives who share his first name.

A 2021 profile from Boston Sports Journal noted that people close to Williams used names such as Boo Butt and Little Rob before the Time Lord identity became widely recognized.

Timelord: The Alternative Spelling

Timelord is simply another way fans and sports publications write Time Lord.

Both versions refer to the same nickname.

You may encounter either spelling in social media discussions, basketball articles, fan posts, and player profiles.

Who Is Robert Williams III?

Robert Lee Williams III is an American professional basketball player known for his defensive ability, rebounding, and athletic finishes around the basket.

He played college basketball at Texas A&M before entering the NBA in 2018.

Here are some important details about his career.

• Full name: Robert Lee Williams III
• Date of birth: October 17, 1997
• Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
• College: Texas A&M University
• NBA Draft: 2018, first round, 27th overall pick
• Drafted by: Boston Celtics
• Position: Center
• Height: 6 feet 9 inches
• Current team (October 2026): Portland Trail Blazers
• Best-known nickname: Time Lord

Williams played a significant defensive role during his time with Boston and earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors for the 2021–22 season.

He joined Portland in 2023 as part of the trade that brought Jrue Holiday to the Celtics.

His nickname remained recognizable after the move, showing that Time Lord had become associated with the player rather than only with one team.

For current information about his team, statistics, and playing career, visit the official Robert Williams III NBA profile.

Why Did the Time Lord Nickname Become So Popular?

Several factors helped the nickname survive long after Williams’ rookie season.

It Had an Unusual Origin

Most basketball nicknames refer to a player’s appearance, shooting ability, or playing style.

Time Lord began with missed appointments, online humor, and a science-fiction reference.

That made it different from typical sports nicknames.

It Was Created by Fans

The name grew naturally within a Celtics fan community rather than beginning as an official marketing campaign.

Fans used it repeatedly in online discussions, helping it become recognizable.

His Playing Style Gave It a New Meaning

Williams’ ability to time blocked shots gave fans a basketball-related reason to continue using the name.

A nickname that began as a joke eventually seemed to describe one of his strengths.

Williams Accepted It

His willingness to embrace the name helped it remain part of his public basketball identity.

The Name Followed Him Beyond Boston

Williams continued to be known as Time Lord after joining the Portland Trail Blazers.

Its connection to his defensive style made it relevant beyond the team where the nickname originated.

Robert Williams Nickname vs. Common Nicknames for Robert

There is an important difference between Robert Williams III’s actual nicknames and general nicknames for anyone named Robert.

The NBA player’s documented nicknames include Time Lord, Boo Butt, Lob Williams, and Little Rob.

However, the first name Robert also has familiar shortened forms:

• Rob: A simple, everyday shortening of Robert.
• Robbie: A friendly, informal variation.
• Robby: An alternative spelling of Robbie.
• Bob: A traditional nickname for Robert.
• Bobby: An affectionate variation of Bob.
• Bert: A shortened form taken from the end of Robert.

These are general naming options, not a claim that every variation is personally used by the NBA player.

If you are looking for a nickname for a friend, family member, or fictional character named Robert, explore our complete guide to nicknames for Robert.

For more athletic or powerful naming inspiration, you can also browse our cool team names and badass nickname ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Williams’ Nickname

What is Robert Williams’ nickname?

Robert Williams III’s most famous nickname is Time Lord, sometimes spelled Timelord.

It began among Boston Celtics fans in 2018 and later became associated with his excellent timing as a shot blocker.

Why do people call Robert Williams Time Lord?

The nickname originally came from Williams missing an introductory media conference call and a flight to Boston after being drafted in 2018.

Fans jokingly suggested that he operated on a different timeline.

As his basketball career developed, the name also came to describe his ability to time blocked shots.

Who gave Robert Williams the nickname Time Lord?

The nickname emerged from an online Celtics fan community known as Weird Celtics Twitter.

Ryan Hebert was one of the fans closely associated with creating and popularizing it.

What does Time Lord mean in the NBA?

For Robert Williams III, Time Lord refers to both an early joke about punctuality and his ability to time defensive plays.

The name also draws inspiration from the fictional Time Lords in Doctor Who.

What was Robert Williams’ childhood nickname?

His childhood nickname was Boo Butt.

His mother, Tundra Williams, gave him the name, and it remained popular among relatives and people who knew him growing up in Louisiana.

Why is Robert Williams called Boo Butt?

The exact reason for the name has not been publicly established.

Williams said his mother would laugh when he asked how she came up with it.

The nickname existed before his NBA career.

What is Lob Williams?

Lob Williams is a basketball-related nickname inspired by Robert Williams III’s athleticism and ability to finish alley-oop passes.

Former Celtics executive Danny Ainge suggested it as an alternative to Time Lord.

Is Time Lord an insult?

Not necessarily.

The nickname began as an ironic joke about Williams’ early missed appointments, but the fan community also used it to defend him against what they considered exaggerated criticism.

It later became a positive reference to his shot-blocking ability.

Does Robert Williams like the Time Lord nickname?

Yes. Williams has publicly discussed embracing the nickname.

In a 2022 Sky Sports interview, he explained how its meaning changed once fans began connecting it with his ability to block shots.

What team does Robert Williams play for in 2026?

As of October 2026, Robert Williams III plays for the Portland Trail Blazers.

He previously played for the Boston Celtics, the team that drafted him in 2018.

Is Robert Williams called Time Lord because he blocks shots?

That is part of the nickname’s later meaning, but not its original origin.

Fans first created the name after his missed media call and flight.

His shot-blocking skills subsequently made the nickname seem especially appropriate.

Is Timelord different from Time Lord?

No. Timelord and Time Lord are two spellings of the same nickname.

Both refer to Robert Williams III.

Final Thoughts

Time Lord is Robert Williams III’s most recognizable nickname, but its story is more interesting than the name alone suggests.

What began in 2018 as a Celtics fan joke about missed appointments developed into a fitting description of his shot-blocking timing and defensive athleticism.

His other nicknames reveal different parts of his identity. Boo Butt comes from his childhood, Little Rob reflects his family connections, and Lob Williams celebrates his ability to finish above the rim.

The story shows how a sports nickname can evolve over time. A playful online joke became an affectionate fan tradition and ultimately one of the most recognizable names associated with Robert Williams’ basketball career.